US2115902A - Railway switch operating apparatus - Google Patents

Description

May 3, 1938. H. BONE RAILWAY SWITCH OPERATING APPARATUS Filed March 2, 1937 6 Sheets-Sheet l 1 T' lg k ifhm l l l f l a L IHI L u \\lfrlllllllllll g Ill/IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII a 1kg INVENTOR Herbal .fiane.

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HLS ATTORNEY May 3, 1938. H. BONE RAILWAY SWITCH OPERATING APPARATUS.

Filed March 2, 1937 '6 Sheets-Sheet 2 a a g H TB m UNNN I m ww Ev w 4B m m Wm M Q May 3, 1938. H. BONE RAILWAY SWITCH OPERATING APPARAT US Filed March 2 www n a m a v Rn W W SE m wm ww w N I H53 ATTORNEY y 1938- H. L. BONE 2,115,902

RAILWAY SWITCH OPERATING APPARATUS Filed March 2, 1957 e Sheets-Shet 4 III/111111111111111lzlllll lllllllllllllllI HIS ATTORNEY H. L. BONE May 3, 1938.

RAILWAY SWITCH OPERATING APPARATUS Filed March 2, 1957 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 m 0 mg a S W @m 9 A Ow v m C fl o y 1938- H. L. BONE 2,115,902

RAILWAY SWITCH OPERATING APPARATUS I Filed March 2, 1937 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Fame ('12 my. Z0.

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HIS ATTORNEY Patented May 3, 1938 PATENT OFFICE 2,115,902 RAILWAY swrron OPERATING APPARATUS HerbertL. Bone, Forest Hills, Pa., assignor to The Union Switch & Signal Company, Swissvale, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania ApplicationMarch 2, 1937, Serial No. 128,645

, 19 Claims. (01. 245-284) My invention relates to railway switch operating apparatus, and particularly to manually 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, when the movable rails of a switch of the type described are displaced from a set position by a trailing train, the rails will become biased to a position opposite to the set position until after the train has completely passed the switch, whereupon the rails will again'become biased to their set position.

I will describe one form of apparatus embodying my invention, and will then point out the novel features thereof in claims. 1

In the accompanying drawings, Fig. l is a top plan view showing a railway switch provided with one form of switch operating mechanism embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is an enlarged side View, partly in section and partly in elevation, of the operating mechanism shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 2a is a view showing a target which forms part of the mechanism illustrated in Fig. 2. Fig. 3 is a top plan view, partly in section and partly in elevation, of the mechanism shown in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the spring unit S forming part of the mechanism shown in Figs. 2 and 3 taken on the line IVIV of Fig. 3. Figs. 5, 6, 7, and 8 are sectional views taken substantially on the lines V-V, VIVI, VIIVII, and VIII-NIH of Fig. 2. Fig. 9 is a View similar to' Fig. 3 but showing the parts in the positions which they occupy while-a train is trailing the switch. Fig. 10 is a diagram showing the various forces exerted on the switch points.

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

Referring first to Fig. 1, the reference character A designates a railway switch comprising, as usual, two fixed rails l and l and two movable rails or switch points 2 and 2 The fixed rails l and i are laid on tie plates 3 and are secured to crossties d 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 1, and a; tie rod 8, and may be moved into a normal or a reverse position by means of an operating rod 9, which is connected with the head rod 6 through the medium of the usual switch basket l0. -When the switch occupies its normal position, inwhich it is shown in Fig. l, the movable rail 2v engages the fixed rail 3, and the movable rail i is spaced a slight distance from the fixed rail I When the switch is reversed, however," the movable rail 2 similar then engages the fixed rail l and the movable rail 2 is spaced from the fixed rail l.

Associated with the switch A is a switch operating mechanism B comprising a casing H which is bolted or spiked to the ties 4 adjacent the outer side of the rail I, and an auxiliary casing I2 which is bolted to the left-hand end of the casing H. The main casing II is provided with a removable cover [3, while the auxiliary casing 82 is provided with aremovable cover M.

Extending downwardly through the main casing H is a rotatable spindle or switch actuating shaft I6, and attached to the lower end of this shaft isan adjustable crank I! which is pivotally connected with the previously described operating rod 9, the parts being so proportioned that rotation of the shaft l6 through an angle of approximately will move the switch between its normal and reverse positions. The lower portion of the shaft it, that is, the portion within the casing l I is made round, and is journaled in a bear ing [8 provided in the bottom of the casing H, and. in a star block I9, which, in turn, is jour naled in a bearing 20' formed in the top of the casing II. The portion of the shaft it above the top of this star block bearing, however, is made square,- and has a somewhat smaller cross-sectional area than the lower portion of the shaft. Secured to the square portion of the shaft is a square sleeve 2i, 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 its lowermost position on the inner sleeve, in which position it is shown in the drawings, a squared portion 23 formed on the lower end of the outer sleeve enters a square recess or socket 24 formed in the upper end of the star block I9, and, under these conditions, the outer sleeve, and hence the shaft i6, 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 24 in'the star block, and the two sleeves and the shaft are then free to rotate as a unit independently of the star block.

The outer sleeve22 is arranged to be moved between-its two extreme positions by means of a hand. lever 21 which also serves as'a means for rotating the switch actuating shaft between its two extreme positions. This lever is bifurcated at one end, and the bifurcations thereof are disposed on opposite sides of the squared portion formed at the upper end of the outer sleeve and are pivoted on their free ends on a bolt 28 mounted in a lug 29 formed on the inner sleeve 2|. Each bifurcation extends between a pair of lugs 30 which are secured to the associated side of the outer sleeve 22, only one pair of lugs being visible in the drawings. The parts are, so proportioned that when the lever 21 is rotated about the bolt 28 to the de-' pending position in which it is shown in the drawings, the outer sleeve 22 will be'moved to its lowermost position on the inner sleeve, but that, when the lever 21 is rotated about the bolt 28 to a substantially horizontal position the outer sleeve will then be moved to its upper position on the inner sleeve. switch actuating shaft l6 will be connected with, or disconnected from, the star block |9 according as the lever 21 occupies its depending or its horizontal position, and that, when the lever occupies its horizontal position, the shaft l3 may be rotated between its two extreme positions to move the switch points to their corresponding extreme positions by rotating the lever about the axis of the shaft without causing rotation of the star block.

When the hand lever 21 occupies its depending position, which position is its normal position, it may be'locked in this position by placing a padlock or other suitable locking device through a hole |5| formed in the outer end of a lug |5| which is fastened to the outer sleeve 22, and which passes through a suitable slot I52 of the lever 21.

A suitable signal, here shown as a pair of vanes 3|, positioned with respect to each other in plan view, is fastened to the upper end of the switch actuating shaft l6 and serves to accurately indicate at all times the position of the switch.

The star block I9 is normally biased to the position in which it is shown in the drawings by means of two spring units S and S which are located in the left-hand end of the main casing These spring units are similar and a description of one will therefore suffice for both. Referring particularly to the spring unit S shown in detail in Fig. 4, this spring unit comprises a cylindrical housing 32' having an end plate 33 provided with vertically spaced apertured lugs 34 and an end plate 35 provided with a centrally disposed hole 35. Located within the housing 32 is a coil spring 31, one end of which abuts against an outwardly extending flange 38 forming part of a member 38, and the other end of which abuts against an outwardly extending flange 39 forming part of a member 39. The member 38 is free to slide in an axial direction within the housing 32, and is provided at the end opposite to the flange 38 with an inwardly ex tending annular flange 38 which forms a centrally located hole 38. The member 39 is likewise free to slide in an axial direction within the housing 32, and is provided with a centrally located hole 39 A tube 40 is screwed onto the inner end of the member 38, and mounted within this tube between the member 38 and an end plate 4| which is screwed into the right-hand end of the tube is a compressed coil spring 42. A hole 4| is formed in the end plate 4| in axial alignment with the hole 38 in the member 38, and slidably mounted in the tube 40 between the spring 42 and the end plate 4| is a washer 43 having a centrally located hole 43*, the diameter It follows that the of which is somewhat smaller than the diameter of the hole 4| in the end plate 4|. A spring bolt 44 passes through the hole 35 in the end plate 35, the hole 39 in the member 39, the hole 4 in the end plate 4|, the hole 43 in the washer 43, and the hole 38 in the member 38, and is provided at its inner end with a head 44 Which cooperates with the left-hand side of the inwardly extending flange 38 of the member 38. Threaded on the outer end of the spring bolt 44 is a nut 45 and an eye 46, and slidably mounted on the spring bolt adjacent the nut 45 is a sleeve 48 which extends with clearance through the hole 39 in the member 39 and cooperates at its inner end with the washer 43 in such manner that, if the spring bolt is moved into the housing more than a predetermined distance, the sleeve will engage the washer 43 and compress the spring 42, the hole 4| in the end plate 4| being made sufficiently large to permit the sleeve 48 to freely enter this hole. A shoulder 48 having a diameter which is somewhat smaller than the diameter of the hole 35 in the end plate 35, but which is somewhat larger than the diameter of the hole 39 in the member 39, is formed on the outer end of the sleeve 48, and the nut 45 is screwed to such a position on the bolt that when the members 38 and 39 are each engaging the associated end plate, the head 44 of the bolt 44 will engage the flange 38 of the member 38 and the shoulder 48 on the sleeve 48 will engage the outer face of the member 39. It will be seen, therefore, that movement of the spring bolt 44 relative to the housing 32 in either direction will act through the member 38 or the member 39, as the case may be, to compress the outer spring 31, but that the inner spring 42 will only become compressed in the event that the bolt 44 is moved into the housing 32 beyond the position in which the inner end of the sleeve 48 moves into engagement with the washer 43. The eye 46 is locked in place on the outer end of the spring bolt 44 by means of a cotter key 41.

The right-hand end of the spring unit S is operatively connected with the star block l9 by means of a pin 50 which passes through the associated eye 46 and through a pair of vertically spaced lugs 5| which are formed integrally with the star block and which straddle the eye; and the right-hand end of the spring unit S is similarly operatively connected with the star block |9 by means of a pin 52 which passes through the'eye 45 of this latter spring unit and through a pair of vertically spaced lugs 53, which are also formed integrally with the star block, and which straddle the last-mentioned eye. The two pairs of lugs are angularly spaced from each other by a distance of approximately as shown in Fig. 3, and are also vertically spaced from each other a sufficient distance to permit the unit S to swing underneath the unit S under certain conditions which will appear hereinafter.

The left-hand ends of the two spring units S and S are operatively connected with a floating supporting plate 54 (see Fig. 5) at its opposite sides, and in vertically spaced relation, by means of pins 55 and 5B which pass through the lugs 34 on the end plates 33, and through cooperating lugs 51 and 58 formed on the supporting plate. The supporting plate 54 is slidably mounted on the square shanks of. bolts 59 and 60 in such manner that the plate is free to swing about a vertical axis which coincides with the axis of the pin .55, or a vertical axis. which coincides with the axis of the pin 58. The bolts 59 and 68 are secured to the end wall of the housing II and are provided with rectangular heads which, on the sides adjacent the shanks are beveled in the manner shown, and act as stops to limit the motion of the plate 54 toward the star block under some conditions. Movement of the floating plate 55 in the opposite direction is limited by rounded stops 5i and 62 which cooperate with stop surfaces 53 and 54, respectively, formed on the end wall of the casing II. The parts are so proportioned that when the star block I9 occupies the position shown, and the floating plate 54 occupies the position in which the stops 6| and 62 engage the associated stop surfaces 53 and 84, both spring units S and S will exert a force on the star block which is suflicient to hold the star block in the position shown when the star block is connected with the switch, but which is not suflicient to compress the springs 3'! of the spring units S and S beyond their initial compression.

The floating plate 54 is pivotally connected at its center by means of. a pivot pin 65 with one end of a pull rod 88, the other end of which is secured to a substantially rectangular yoke 51 that surrounds the star block IS. The yoke 61 is slidably supported on a cam 88 which is formed integral with the star block, and has secured thereto three rollers l8, 'El, and ii. The rollers I8 and II are disposed at opposite sides of the yoke, and cooperate with the opposite edges of a cam I3, which is also formed integrally with the star block, to position the yoke in a transverse direction with respect to the star block when the star block occupies the position shown. The roller I2 cooperates with the cam I3 in such manner that rotation of the star block in either direction from the position shown will move the yoke, and hence the pull rod 66, toward the right.

The right-hand side of the yoke 61, as viewed in Figs. 2 and 3, is provided with a tail piece I4 which carries a guide roller I5 and. a latch block '15 having beveled sides. The guide roller 15 cooperates with one end 'I'I of a transversely extending groove I! provided in the underside of a latch arm I8 forming part of an electric latch E, and the latch block 76 cooperates with the other end N of the groove TI. The latch arm I8 is mounted at one end on a pivot pin 19 secured to the casing H, and carries at its opposite end an armature 78 which cooperates with an electromagnet 88. The electromagnet 80 is secured to the casing I2, and is connected in a track circuit which includes the two stock rails I and I in parallel (see Fig. 1) and a source of current, here shown as a battery F. It will be seen, therefore, that the electromagnet 8!] will become energized whenever a train trails the switch. The end I'I of the groove l! is formed with vertical sides, while the other end 11 is formed with beveled sides which slope downwardly and outwardly, as shown by Fig. 7.

The apparatus also includes two rocker arms 85 and 86. The rocker arm 85 is pivotally supported intermediate its ends on a pivot pin 81 mounted in. a pair of spaced lugs 9I secured to the sides of the casing I I, and is provided at one end with a roller 88 which cooperates with the edge 55 of the cam 58. The other end of the rocker arm 85 cooperates with a roller 89 (see 5) mounted on the upper end of the pin 56 which secures the spring unit S to the floating plate 54. The rocker arm 86 is similar to the rocker arm 85 except that it is of the opposite hand, and this latter rocker arm is pivotally supported intermediate its ends on a pivot pin 90 mounted in a pair of spaced lugs 92 secured to the side of the casing II directly opposite the lugs 9|. The rocker arm 88 is provided at one end with a roller 93 which cooperates with the edge I58 of the cam 68, and the free end of this rocker arm cooperates with a roller 94 (see Fig. 5) mounted on the lower end of the pin 55 which secures the spring unit S to the floating supporting plate 54. A spring 95 is stretched between the two rocker arms, and constantly biases these arms to the position in which the rollers 88 and 83 engage the cam 68. The parts are so proportioned that when the star block occupies its normal position in which it is shown in the draw-' ings, and the rollers 88 and 93 are engaging the cam 68, the ends of the rocker arms will cooperate with the rollers 89 and 94 to hold the floating plate 54 in the position shown, but that, when the star block is rotated away from the position shown in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 3, the roller 88 will ride up onto the high part of the cam 68, and will thus rotate the rocker arm 85 in a counterclockwise direction to the position shown in Fig. 9 in which position the roller 89 of the floating plate 54 is free to move past the end of the rocker arm, and that, when the star block is rotated away from the position shown in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 3, the roller 93 will ride up onto the high portion of the cam 68, and will thus rotate the rocker arm 86 in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 3, to the position in which the roller 94 on the floating plate 54 is free to move past the end of the rocker arm 86.

Reciprocably mounted in the bottom of the casing II is a locking device IilIl (see Fig. 8) which in the particular embodiment of my invention here illustrated, comprises two spaced end members 38 and Iilfi connected together by means of a pair of spaced bolt members Hi8 and i98 The right-hand end member I80 is provided on its right-hand side with an integral rectangular locking plunger i80 while the left-hand end member Iiiii is provided with a centrally located hole 18 The locking plunger I88 is mounted to slide in a guideway IIJI (see Fig. 2) formed in the bottom of the casing l i, and is adapted to cooperate with a lock rod L which is slidably mounted in the casing H at right angles to the locking plunger. The lock rod L is of standard construction, and comprises two longitudinally adjustable bars 33 and H33 (see Fig. 1) attached at one end to the front rod of the switch A, and provided with two registering notches I93 so disposed that these notches will align with the locking plunger when and only when the switch A occupies its normal extreme position in which it is shown in the drawings. The locking device I80 is arranged to be moved, in a manner which will be described hereinafter, between a right-hand extremeposition in which the locking plunger I89 is within the notches I83 in the rod L, and a left-hand extreme position in which the locking plunger lllll is withdrawn from the notches I03, 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 A 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 III? in the lock rod L, the switch A will then be unlocked.

The bolt members Hill and H38 of the locking device I88 are slidably mounted adjacent their left-hand ends in suitable guides I06 and H17, respectively, which are provided on the bottom of the main casing I I, and surrounding each bolt member between the end member It'll) and the 3 associated guides I86 and I! is a tightly compressed coil spring I98 which constantly biases the locking device I00 to its right-hand extreme position.

A bell crank lever IE9 is pivoted on a rod II II mounted in a pair of spaced plugs III which are screwed into the sides of the casing H and the one arm 39 thereof extends downwardly and is provided at its lower end with a rounded portion H38 which cooperates with an L shaped extension Illll provided on end member I08, in a manner which will be described hereinafter. The other arm I 95 of the bell crank lever I09 extends toward the left as viewed in Fig. 2, and is pivotally connected at its free end by means of a pin H2 with the lower end of a vertically extending connecting rod H4.

The connecting rod i I4 is shaped as shown, and comprises an integral offset portion H4. This connecting rod extends upwardly through arcuate slots H5 and H6 formed in the cams 68 and I3, and through a guideway H'I formed in the top wall of the casing I l, and is provided at its upper end with a lateral extension II4 -which overlies and cooperates with an annular flange I I8 formed on the sliding sleeve 22 directly above the squared portion 23. A two-piece collar H9 is bolted to the sliding sleeve 22 some distance from the annular flange H8 and lateral extension H4", and extending downwardly from this collar is a frusto-conical hood i20 which completely encloses the upper part of the offset portion I I4 of the connecting rod H4 and the annular flange H8, thus protecting these parts from dirt, moisture, etc.

The connecting rod I I4 is also provided with an integral lateral extension H4 which overlies and cooperates with cam faces I3 and I3 formed on the upper side of the cam 13. The two cam faces I3 and 13 curve downwardly toward each other, as shown in Figs. 2 and 6.

The parts are so proportioned that when the sliding sleeve 22 occupies its lowermost position,

and the star block I9 occupies the position to which it is biased by the spring units S and S as shown in the drawings, the connecting rod I I4 will be moved to the position in which it is shown in the drawings, which position I shall'hereinafter refer to as its lowermost position. The parts are further so proportioned that when the connecting rod H4 occupies its lowermost position, the underside of the lateral extension II4I of the connecting rod will engage the upper side of the annular flange H8, the underside of the lateral extension I It will engage the cam 13 between the two cam faces I3 and 13 and the bell crank lever I68 will be rotated to a position in which the rounded portion I09 would engage the left-hand side of the end member W of the locking device 503 if the locking device were then moved to its extreme right-hand position by the biasing springs I08.

The locking device I60, in addition to being operatively connected with the sliding sleeve 22 and the star block I9 in the manner just described, is also operatively connected with the previously described tie rod 8 by means of linkage which I will now describe.

As here shown, this linkage includes a plunger bolt I2I (see Figs. 1, 2, and 3) which extends with some clearance through the hole II!!! in the end member IllIl of the locking device I00, and the head of which bolt cooperates with the righthand side of the end member I00 The threadedleft-hand end of the plunger bolt I2I is adjustably connected by means of a turnbuckle I22 with one end of a link I23, the other end of which link is pivotally connected with a long arm I24 and a bell crang lever I24. The bell crank lever I24 is pivotally supported in a crank stand I25, and has its short arm I24 pivotally connected with one end of an operating rod I26. The other end of the operating rod 126 is connected by means of a standard switch basket I2'I with the previously described tie rod 8. The tie rod 8 may be located at any desired location, but will preferably be located approximately half-way between the heel and the point of the switch. The base I28 of the crank stand I25 is secured both to a gauge plate I29, and to the bed plate I5, which bed plate, in turn, is secured to the mechanism B, and it will be apparent, therefore, that any loss of adjustment between the parts due to creepage of the ties is prevented.

For reasons which will be made clear presently, theextreme position to which the locking plunger IllIl is movable within the notches IEI3 in the lock rod L is beyond the normal locking position in which it is shown in the drawings, and the linkage connecting the locking device with the tie rod 8 is so adjusted that when the switch occupies its normal extreme position the head of the plunger bolt I2I will engage the end member I00 when the locking plunger has been moved to its locking position and will prevent the locking plunger from moving beyond its locking position.

The auxiliary casing I2 referred to hereinbefore houses a circuit controller C in such manner that this circuit controller can be added to or removed from the remainder of the switch operating apparatus without disturbing the remainder of the switch operating apparatus. The details of construction of this circuit controller are similar in all respects to those of the circuit controller described and claimed in Letters Patent of the United States No. 1,989,128, granted to me on January 29, 1935, for Railway switch circuit controllers, andin themselves form no part of my present invention, except insofar 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 contacts and the other set of which is usually referred to as point detector contacts. The plunger lock contacts are each designated by the reference characters I3IJ-I3I, and are all controlled by a contact operating member I32 pivotally attached to one end of a rocker arm I 33, which rocker arm, in turn, is pivoted intermediate its ends on a fixed pin I34, and is provided in the end opposite to the operating member with a cam slot I 35, and with a cam face I35 which cooperates with a roller I36 mounted in the upper end of a bracket I 31 secured to the upper face ofthe locking plunger I30 When the'locking device I00 occupies its locking position in which position it is shown in the drawings, the roller I36 engages the cam slot I35 at an offset portion I 35, and under these conditions, the rocker arm I33 is rotated to an extreme position in which the plunger lock contacts I3!)-I3I are all closed. When, however, the locking device I00 is moved in either direction from its normal locking position, the roller I36 is forced out of the offset portion I35 of the cam slot I35, and the rocker arm I33 is then rotated to another extreme position in which the plunger lock contacts I3II-I3I are open.

The point detector contacts of the circuit controller C are each designated by the reference characters I38--I39, and are all controlled by a contact operating member I40 provided with a roller I4! which cooperates with a recess I42 formed in the point detector rod D. The point detector rod D is slidably mounted inthe casing i2 transversely thereof, and is attached at one end by means of a link Hid and a bolt member I04 to the movable rail 2 of the switch A in the usual and well-known manner. The recess I42 in the point detector rod D is so positioned that it will align with the roller I4I when and only when the switch occupies its normal position and the movable rail 2 is tight against the fixed rail I, and the parts are so proportioned that when the recess I42 aligns with the roller I4 I, this roller will enter the notch, thereby permitting the contact operating member 34% to rotate by gravity to a position in which it is out of engagement with the contact fingers N9 of the point detector contacts, thus causing these contacts to close by virtue of the inherent resiliency of the contact fingers. When, however, the roller MI is forced out of the recess M2 in the point detector rod D, the contact operatin member I49 will be positively rotated to the position in which the point detector contacts I33i39 become opened.

The circuit controller C further comprises lock mechanism whereby, if the roller MI is forced out of the recess I42 in the point detector rod D, when the locking device H30 occupies any position in which the locking plunger IIIIJ is within the notches 33 in the lock rod L, the point detector contacts will, after becoming opened in the manner previously described, subsequently be held open until the latch mechanism is manually operated to permit these contacts to again become closed. The plunger lock contacts and point detector contacts of circuit controller C may be used to control signals for controlling trafiic over switch A in a well-known manner.

The operation of the apparatus as a whole is as follows: As shown in the drawings, the movable rails of the switch are in their normal position and the hand-throw lever 2'! occupies its depending position. Under these conditions, the sliding sleeve 22 is held in its lowermost position on the inner sleeve 2|, and the star block I9 is accordingly connected with the switch actuating shaft i 6 so that the spring units S and S are effective to hold the movable rails of the switch in their normal positions. Furthermore, under these conditions, the connecting rod I I 4 is held in its lowermost position, and the locking device I is held in its locking position by the biasing springs I 08. As was previously pointed out, when the locking device IE B occupies its locking position, the movable rails of the switch are locked in their normal position, and the plunger lock contacts I30--I3I of circuit controller C are closed. Point detector rod D occupies the position in which the recess I42 aligns with the roller MI and the point detector contacts I38I39 of circuit controller C are, therefore, closed. Since both the point detector and plunger lock contacts of circuit controller C are closed, the signals governing trafiic over switch A would display a proceed indication, thereby indicating that the movable railsof switch A are in their normal positions and are properly locked in these positions for main line trafiic over the switch. The circuit for the magnet 80 of the electric latch E is open, and this magnet is therefore deenergized so that the latcharm I8 is free to move upwardly.

I will now assume that it is desired to reverse the switch A. To do this, the hand lever 21 is first raised to its horizontal position. This preliminary movement of the hand lever raises the sliding sleeve 22 from its lowermost position in which it is shown in the drawings to its uppermost position, and, as was previously described, when the sliding sleeve' 22 is moved to its uppermost position, the squared portion 23 on the lower end of this sleeve becomes disengaged from the socket 24 in the upper end of the star block I9, thus disconnecting the star block, and hence the spring units S} and S from the switch actuating shaft,

so that the switch actuating shaft is then free to rotate without any opposition from the biasing devices. Furthermore, when the sliding sleeve 22 is moved to its uppermost position, the

annular flange I I8 on the lower end of this sleeve cooperates with the lateral extension I W of the connecting rod I I4 to move the connecting rod I I4 to its uppermost position, and this movement of the connecting rod, in turn, acts through the bell crank lever H39 to move thelocking device I00 from its normal locking position in which it is shown in the drawings to a position in which the locking plunger IIJI] is completely withdrawn from the notches I03 in the lock rod L, thus unlocking the switch, and at the same time actuating rocker arm I33 of circuit controller C to open the plunger lock contacts I3fl I3I of the circuit controller. The biasing devices now being disconnected from the switch actuating shaft and the switch being unlocked, the hand-throw lever is next rotated in the horizontal plane which it then occupies, through an angle of approximately 90 in a counterclockwise direction. This intermediate movement of the hand lever rotates the switch actuating shaft I6 to the extreme position opposite to that in which it is shown in the drawings, thereby reversing the movable rails of the switch in the manner previously described. As soon as the movable rails start to move to their reverse positions, recess I42 in point detector rod D moves out of alignment with roller I4I, thus opening the point detector contacts I38I39 of circuit controller C. Furthermore, as the movable rails move to their reverse positions, the linkage which connects the locking device IElIl with the tie rod 8 is actuated in such manner that the plunger 'bolt I2I is moved toward the left, and as soon as the plunger bolt has moved as far as the locking device was previously moved by the bell crank lever I09, the plunger bolt will engage the end member Ill!) of the locking device I00, and during the balance of the movement of the plunger bolt the locking device will be moved with the plunger bolt, so that when the switch reaches its full reverse position the locking device will be moved to its extreme left-hand position. The switch points now being fully reversed, the hand lever 21 is next restored to its depending position. The final movement of the hand lever, of course, restores the sliding sleeve 22 to its lowermost position, thus reconnecting the star block I9 with the switch actuating shaft, and at the same time permitting the connecting rod I I4 to return to its lowermost position.

If, when the switch has been moved to its reverse position in the manner just described, it is desired to restore the switch to its normal position, the hand lever 21 is first raised to its horizontal position, and is then rotated in a clockwise direction through an angle of 90, as viewed in toward the right.

Fig. 1, and is finally restored to its depending position and relocked in this position. The operation of the various parts of the apparatus under these conditions is just the reverse of that described above, and will be readily understood from the foregoing, and from an inspection of the drawings, without further description. 2

I will now assume that the parts are in their normal positions, as shown in the drawings, and that a train trails the switch. As the leading wheels of a train roll along the fixed rail I, the movable rails Zand 2 are forced over but before a sufficient force is developed at the points of these rails to overcome the opposing force of the spring units S and S and cause the point of the movable rail 2 to move out of engagement with the fixed rail l, 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 in Fig. 1, three-quarters of an inch or more. This movement of the tie rod 8 acting through the switch basket I21, operating rod l2i5, bell crank lever 24, link I23, and plunger bolt I2l, moves the locking device H10, in opposition to the bias of the springs I08, a sufficient amount to completely Withdraw the looking plunger [W from engagement with the notches I03 in the lock rod L, thus unlocking the switch. As a result, when the leading wheels of the train have reached the position in which a sufficient force is developed at the points of the movablerails to cause the point of the movable rail 2 to move out of engagement with the fixed rail 5, the movable rails will be unlocked, and these rails will, therefore, be forced away from their normal positions by the wheels of the train in exactly the same manner as they would be if no point lock were provided. The movement of the movable rails away from their normal positions acts through the operating rod 9 and crank I! to rotate the shaft IS in a counterclockwise direction, and this rotation of the shaft 16, in turn, rotates the associated sleeves 2| and 22, and the star block IS in the same direction. The first few degrees of rotation of the star block l9 causes the high portion of cam 68 to engage roller 88 and rotate rocker arm 85 in a counterclockwise direction tothe position in which the left-hand end of this rocker arm is out of alignment with the roller 89. Further rotation of the star block I9 causes cam 13 to engage roller 12 and thereby move the yoke 51 and pull rod 66 During this movement, the rocker arm 86 remains in the position shown, so

: that the lower end of the floating plate 54, as

viewed in Fig. 3, is prevented from moving toward the right, and as a result the movement of the pull rod 66 toward the right causes the motion plate to swing in a clockwise direction about the axis of the roller 94 as a fulcrum. The rotation of the star block also acts through the lugs 5| to move the spring bolt 44 of the spring unit S toward the right, and since the motion plate 54 at the side to which the spring unit S is attached is prevented from moving to the right, the spring bolt 44 acts through the member 38 to compress the spring 31, and hence causes the spring unit S to exert an increased force tending to restore the movable rails to their normal positions. It will be noted that the movement of the spring bolt 44 of the spring unit S which takes place under these conditions does not cause the spring 42 to become compressed, so that the entire force which is exerted by the spring unit S is due to the spring 31. The rotation of the star block 19 further acts through the lugs 53 to movethe spring bolt 44 of the spring unit 5 toward the left until after the switch points have been moved a short distance beyond their mid stroke positions, whereupon the spring bolt 44 of the spring unit S is moved in the opposite direction. During this movement of the spring bolt, the housing 32 is simultaneously moved toward the right due to the previously described motion of the motion plate 54, and the parts are so proportioned that the resultant relative movement between the housing and the spring rod will always be ina direction to force the spring rod further into the housing 32. The parts are further so proportioned that shortly after the switch points have been moved past their midstroke positions, the end of the sleeve 48 of the spring unit S will move into engagement with the washer 43 and it will be seen, therefore, that during the movement of the switch points toward their mid stroke positions, only the spring 3'! ofthe spring unit S? will become compressed, but that after the switch points have been moved past their mid stroke positions, the springs 31 and 42 of the'spring unit S will then both become compressed. It will also be seen that the spring unit S and lugs 53 function like a toggle, so that also produces some form on the switch points tending to restore them to their normal positions,

and results in a side thrust on the yoke 61. This side thrust, however, due to the fact that the magnet 80 is now energized by virtue of the track circuit of which it forms a part being completed by the wheels and axles of the train so that the latch arm 18 is held down, is resisted by engagement of roller 15 with the straight sides of the groove H in the latch arm until after the switch points have been moved to within a short distance of their full stroke positions, after which this sidethrust is then resisted by engagement of the latch block 15 with the beveled side portion of the grooove '11. The reason for resisting the side thrust on the yoke 61 by means of the roller 15 engaging the straight side portion of the notch during the first part of the stroke, and for resisting the side thrust by means of the latch block and beveled side portion of the notch during the latter part of the stroke, is that the side thrust is smaller at the end of the stroke than it is at the beginning, and it is desirable to nkeepthe size of the magnet 81) as small as possible, and at the same time insure that the latch will release if the magnet becomes deenergized when the switch is in its full reverse position.

With the above described construction, the only time that the magnet 80 has to resist any appreciable upward force on the latch arm is when the switch points have been moved to substantially their full strokepositions in which positions the force of the latch arm is a minimum, .thus making itpossible to use a magnet of mini- The magnitude of the various forces. 1' which are exerted on the switch points as the switch points move from their normal to their a reverse positions in response to the trailing train mum size.

are shown graphically in Fig. 10, and it will be apparent from an examination of this figure tha the force exerted on the points by the spring unit S when the points are within a short distance of their reverse positions becomes greater than the opposing force due to spring unit S and the reaction of the cam 13 against the roller "I2, with the result that the spring unit S becomes effective to force the switch points to, and hold them in, their full reverse positions. The positions which the various parts of the mechanism 300- cupy when the switch points have been moved to their full reverse positions in response to the movement of the trailing train through the points is shown in Fig. 9. After the train has completely passed the switch, it will move ofi the track circuit in which the magnet 86 is included, and will thus cause this magnet to become deenergized. When this happens, the upward reaction on the latch arm 18 caused by the side thrust of the latch block 15 against the sloping sides of the groove 'i'l in the latch arm will cause the latch arm to swing upwardly and release the yoke 6i, whereupon the yoke 6'! will immediately swing upwardly and toward the left, as viewed in Fig. 9, in such a manner as to allow the motion plate 55 to return to its normal position in which it is shown in the drawings, due to the reaction on the motion plate caused by the spring unit S The return movement of the motion plate to its normal position causes the force which is exerted on the switch points by the spring unit S to decrease below that which is exerted on the points by the spring unit S and the switch points will therefore immediately start to return to their normal positions. As the switch points return to their normal positions, the resultant rotation of the star block 19 will cause the cam 13 to cooperate with the roller ll! in a manner to return the yoke t'lto its centralized position in which it is shown in 3, and when the yoke reaches this position, the latch arm 18 will immediately drop to its normal position in which it is shown in Fig. 3. The movement of the star block to its normal position will also permit the connecting rod M4 to return by gravity to its lowermost position and will cause roller 88 to move off the high portion of cam 68 and onto the low portion. of the cam, thereby permitting spring 95 to restore rocker arm 85 to its normal position in which it is shown in Fig. 3. Furthermore, during the return movement of the switch points to their normal positions, the linkage which connects the locking device Hill with the tie rod 8 will permit the biasing springs N38 to return the locking device EBB toward its locking position, and since there is no deflection of the switch points under these conditions, the locking plunger "W will be moved into engagement with the side of the lock rod L before the movable rails of the switch points have reached their full normal position in which the lock rod is in the proper position for the notches 163 to receive the locking plunger. As a result, after the locking plunger has once moved into engagement with the side of the lock rod. the locking plunger will slide along the side of the lock rod until the notches H13 in the lock rod move into alignment with the locking plunger, at which time the energy stored in the compressed springs !98 will force the locking plunger to its normal locking position, thus restoring the switch to its normal locked condition. If the notches H23 in the lock rod L 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 lock-- ing device I00 with the tie rod 8 was then out of adjustment, or was permitted to move beyond its normal locking position, plunger lock contacts l30l3l of circuit controller C would remain open, thus causing the signals controlled by the circuit controller to remain at danger. Furthermore, if, while the train was trailing the switch, the movable point 2 should have become bent or damaged so that when the movable rails had returned to their normal conditions, the movable rail 2 failed to assume its proper position with respect to the fixed rail I, the point detector contacts l38l39 of circuit controller C would remain open, which would also cause the signals controlled by circuit controller C to remain at danger. It follows, therefore, that with apparatus embodying my invention, under no conditions can a dangerous condition exist due to a train trailing the switch when the switch occupies its normal condition. I

I will now assume that the switch A has been moved to its reverse position by means of the switch operating mechanism B in the, manner previously described and that a train trails the switch. Under these conditions, as the leading wheels of the train roll along the fixed rail I and movable switch point 2, the movable rails will become deflected in much the same manner as when the switch occupies its normal position and a train trails the switch, but this deflection will now be in the opposite direction so. that the plunger bolt I2! of the linkage which connects the locking device Hill with the tie rod 8 will move toward the right instead of toward the left. As a result, the locking. device which,

it will be remembered, normally occupies its extreme left-hand position when the switch occupies its reverse position and no train is trailing the switch, will now be moved toward its locking position by the biasing springs 38 a certain amount, which amount may be sufiicient to allow the locking plunger Hi9 to move into engagement with the side of the lock rod L. This movement of the locking device, however, will not cause the locking plunger to enter the notches Iil3 in the lock rod L because when this. movement takes place, the notches [93 in the lock rod will then be out of alignment with the locking plunger. As the movable rails are forced open, shaft "5, sleeves 2| and 22, and star block l9 are rotated toward the position corresponding to the normal position of the switch, and lock rod L is likewise moved toward the position corresponding to the normal position of the switch. The rotation of the star block 19 actuates the two spring units S and S in such manner that the unit S now becomes effective to bias the movable rails to their normal positions in substantially the same manner that the spring unit S became efiective to' bias the movable rails to their reverse positions when the switch points were .trailed toward these positions from their normal positions, and the magnet -becomes effective to resist the side thrust on the yoke 61 as long as the train continues to trail the switch. Furthermore, the rotation of the star block l9 causes the cam face 13 of the cam 13 to force the connecting rod H4 upwardly in the same manner as when the switch was trailed left-hand position.

position in which the locking plunger i is out of engagement with the side of the lock rod L. It will be seen, therefore, that under these conditions, even though the switch is forced to its full'normal position by the trailing train, thus causing the notches 33 in the lock rod L to move into alignment with the locking plunger, the lockingplunger cannot move to its locking position. It follows that with apparatus embodying my invention it is impossible for the switch to become locked in its normal position if it is moved to its normal position from its reverse position by a. trailing train. After the train has completely trailed the switch, the magnet 36 will become deenergized and will allow the latch arm 18 to move upwardly in substantially the same manner as when the switchis trailed from its normal position. When this happens, the floating plate 54 will return to its normal position and will thus cause the biasing force exerted on the switch points by the spring unit S to become less than that exerted on the points by the spring unit S with the result that the switch points will then immediately start to return to their normal positions. As the switch points return to their normal positions, the cam 13 will cooperate with the roller 'H' to return the yoke 6'! to the position shown, and the roller 93 will ride ofi the high portion of cam 68 onto the low portion of this cam, and will thus permit the rocker arm 88 to return to the position in which it is shown in the drawings. As soon as the yoke 5'! reaches its normal position, the latch arm 18 will return by gravity to its normal position. Furthermore, as the star block l9 returns to its normalposition, connecting rod H4 will also return by gravity to its lowermost position. Locking plunger Mil however, will remain out of engagement with lock rod L, because as the switch points return to their reverse positions, there will be no deflection of the movable rails, and the resultant operation of the linkage which connects the locking device with the tie rod 8 will restore the locking device to its extreme When the movable switch points have reached their full reverse positions, all parts will then occupy the same positions which they occupied before the train started to trail the switch.

One advantage of apparatus embodying my invention is that it combines within one mechanism means for throwing the switch between its two extreme positions, a mechanically operated facing point lock which looks the switch for facing point moves but becomes automatically 'unlocked for a trailing move, spring means for permitting the switch to be trailed, spring means for forcing the switch points to their full trailed positions when a train trails the switch and for subsequently holding the points in their full trailed positions until after the train has completely passed the switch, and latching means for releasing the spring mechanism and allowing the switch to return to its original position after a train which is trailing the switch has 'completely passed 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 scope of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

7 1. In combination, a. switch actuating shaft, a

star block, means for connecting said star block with and disconnecting it from said shaft, an electromagneticlatch, biasing means, and means controlled in part bysaid latch for connecting said biasing means with said star block in such manner that said biasing means is effective when said latch is deenergized to bias said star block to one position but becomes effective if said star block is rotated away from said one position more than a predetermined distance when said latch is energized for biasing said star block to another position.

2. In combination, a switch actuating shaft, a star block, means for connecting said star block with and disconnecting it from said shaft, an electromagnetic latch, biasing means, and means controlled in part by said latch for connecting said biasing means with said star block in such manner that said biasing means is effective when.

and effective when said latch is deenergized to bias said star block to one position but effective if said star block is rotated away from said one position more than a predetermined distance when said latch is energized for biasing said star block to another position until said latch subsequently becomes deenergized, whereupon said biasing means again becomes effective to bias said star block to said one position.

4. In combination, a'switch actuating shaft, a star block, means for connecting said star block with and disconnecting it from said shaft, an

electromagnetic latch, biasing means, and means controlled by said latch and by cam means formed on said star block for operatively connecting said biasing means with said star block in such manner that said biasing means is normally efiective to bias said star block to a first position but that if said star block is rotated away fromsaid first position more than a predetermined distance when said latch is energized said biasing means will then become eifective to bias said star block to a second position.

5. In combination, a switch actuating shaft,

a star block, means for connecting said star block with and disconnecting it from said shaft, two spring units each operatively connected at one end with lugs formed on said star block, an electromagnetic latch, means for operatively connecting the other ends of said spring'units with said star block and with said latch in such manner that both said spring units are normally effective to bias said star block to a first position but that if said star block is rotated away from said first position more than a predetermned distance the one unit will exert an increased force on said star block tending to restore it tosaid first position and the other unit will exert a force on said star block which tends to move it to a second position and which exceeds or is less than the 7 force due to said one unit according as said latch is then energized or deenergized.

6. In combination, a switch actuating shaft, a

star block, means for connecting said star block with and disconnecting it from said shaft, two spring units each operatively connected at one end with lugs formed on said star block, means including a cam on said star block and a frame surrounding said star block and carrying rollers which cooperate with said cam for operatively connecting the other ends of said spring units with said star block, an electromagnetic latch effective when energized for controlling the movement of said frame by said cam, the parts being so arranged and so proportioned that both said spring units are normally effective to bias said star block to a first position but that if said start block is rotated away from said first position more than a predetermined distance the one unit will exert an increased force on said star block tending to restore it to said first position and the other unit will exert a force on said star block which tends to move it to a second position and which exceeds or is less than the force due to said one unit according as said latch is then energized or deenergized.

7. In combination, a switch actuating shaft, a star block, means for connecting said star block with and disconnecting it from said shaft, two spring units each operatively connected at one end with lugs formed on said star block, an electromagnetic latch, means for operatively connecting the other ends of said spring units with said star block and with said latch in such manner that both said spring units are normally effective to bias said star block to a first position but that if said star block is rotated away from said first position in one direction more than a predetermined distance the one unit will exert an increased force on said star block tending to restore it to said first position and the other unit will exert a force on said star block which tends to move it to a second position and which exceeds or is less than the force due to said one unit according as said latch is then energized or deenergized and that if said star block is rotated away from said one position in the other direction more than a predetermined distance said other unit will exert an increased force on said star block tending to restore it to said one position and said one unit will exert a force on said star block which opposes the force due to said other unit and which exceeds or is less than the force due to said other unit according as said latch is then energized or deenergized.

8. In combination, a switch actuating shaft, a star block, means for connecting said star block with and disconnecting it from said shaft, two spring units each operatively connected at one end with lugs formed on said star block, an electromagnetic latch, means including a cam on said star block and a frame surrounding said star block and carrying rollers which cooperate with said cam and a tail piece which cooperates with said latch for operatively connecting the other ends of said spring units with said star block in such manner that both said spring units are normally effective to bias said star block to a first position but that if said star block is rotated away from said first position more than a predetermined distance the one unit will exert an increased force on said star block tending to restore it to said first position and the other unit will exert a force on said star block which tends to move it to a second position and which exceeds or is less than the force due to said one unit according as said latch is then energized or deenergized and that if said star block is rotated away from said one position in the other direction more than a predetermined distance said other unit will exert an increased force on said star,

star block, means for connecting said star block with and disconnecting it from said switch actuating shaft, an electromagnetic latch, a cam on said star block, a frame surrounding said star block and provided with two rollers which cooperate with said cam to move said frame to a first position with respect to said star block when said star block is rotated to a first position but for permitting said frame to be moved from its first position to a second position when said star block is rotated away from its first position in one direction and for permitting said frame to be moved away from its first position to a third position when said star block is rotated away fro-m its one position in another direction, means on said frame cooperating with said latch and effective when said latch is energized for preventing said frame from moving to its second and third positions but for permitting said frame to move to a fourth position, a. third roller on said frame cooperating with said cam to move said frame to its fourth position if said star block is rotated away from its one position in either direction when said magnet is energized, and spring means operatively connected with said star block and said frame and elfective for biasing said star block to its one position when said frame occupies its first, second, or third position and for biasing said star block, to one extreme position when said frame is moved to its fourth position by rotation of said star block from its first position in one direction and to another extreme position when said frame is moved to its fourth position by rotation of said star block from its first position in the other direction.v

10. 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, 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 said star block with and disconnecting it from said switch actuating shaft, an electromagnetic latch, means for energizing said latch whenever a train trails said switch, and biasing means connected with said star block and with said latch in such manner that said biasing means is normally effective to bias said star block to a first position but that if said star block is rotated away from said first position when said latch is energized said biasing means will then become effective to bias said star block to a second position until said latch subsequently becomes deenergized, the parts being so arranged that when said shaft is connected with said star block and said star block occupies its first position said switch will be biased to its normal or its reverse position depending upon the position which the switch occupied when it became connected with said star block.

bias said star block to a first. position but that 11. In'combination with a switch, means including a switch actuating shaft'for moving the switch between its two extreme positions, a star block rotatable about said shaft, manually operl able means for rotating said shaft between its two extreme positions independently of said star block and for connecting said star block with said shaft whenever said shaft occupies either extreme position, an electromagnetic latch, means for en- ,ergizing said latch when a train trails said switch,

treme positions and operativ cly connected with the switch for moving the switch between its normal and reverse positions, a star block rotatable about said shaft,a manually operable lever rotatable in two planes, means responsive to rota- ,tion-of said lever in one of saidplanes for ro- 'tating said switch actuating shaft between its two extreme positions, means responsive to rotation of said lever in the other plane for connecting said star block with and disconnecting it from said switch actuating shaft, an electromagnetic latch, biasing means, and means controlled by said latch and by cam means formed on said star block for operatively connecting said loiasingv means with said star block in such manner that said biasing means is normally effective to if said star block is rotated away from said first position more than a predetermined distance whensaidlatch is. energized said biasing means will then become effective to bias said star block to a second position, the parts being so arranged that when said shaft is connected with said star.

block and said star block occupies its first position said switch will be biased to its normal or its reverse position depending upon the position which the switch occupied when it became connected with said star block.

13. In combination with a railway-switch, a switch actuating shaft movable between two extremepositions and operatively connected with the switch for moving the switch between its normal and reverse positions, a star block rotatable about said shaft, a manually operable lever rotatable in .two planes, means responsive to rotation of saidlever 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 said star block with and disconnecting it from said switch actuating shaft, two spring units each operatively connected at one end with lugs formed on saidv starv block, an electromagnetic latch, means controlled in part by said latch for operatively connecting the other ends of said spring units with said star block in such manner that both said spring units are normally effective to bias said star block'to a firstposition but that if said star block is rotated away from said first position more than a predetermined distance the one unit willexert an increased force on said star block tending to restore it to said first posltion and the other unit will exert a force on said star block which tends to move it to a second position and which exceeds or is less thanthe 75. force due to said one unit according as said latch 4 is then energized or deenergized, the parts being so arranged that when said shaft isconnected with said star block and said star block occupies said first position said switch will be biased: to its .normal or its reverse position depending. upon the position which the switchoccupied when it became connected with, said .star. block.-

14. In combination with a railway switch, a

switch actuating shaft movable between two extreme positions and operatively connected with,

the switch for moving theswitchbetween its nor-,

mal and reversepositions a star block rotatable;

about said shaft, a manually operable-lever, ro-

tatable intwo lplanes, means responsive Ito-r0- tation of ,said lever in one :of saidplanes for.

itfrom said switch'actuating shaft, anelectro-7 trolled. in part. by: saidlatch in such; manner that said basing means,,is..-normally,effective to biassaid star: block to a first :position but that if said star block-isrotated-away from, said first.

magnetic latch,-means for energizing said latch whenever a train trails said switch, biasing means connected with said star block-bymeans con-t position when said latch is-energized said biasing, means will then become effective to. biassaid star blockto a second position until said -.latch-sub-.l sequently, ,becomes deenergized,:- the-:parts being,

so arranged that when said shaft is.,connected,. with said star block and-said star. block occupies, said first position said switch will be, biasedto.-.;

its normalor its reverseposition depending upon, the position which the switch-.occupied when it.

became connected with said star,block, means,for I locking the switch,in. its normal position .con-

stantly biased to .a-.locking position, means, for

actuating said lockingmeans from its locking position to an unlockingpositionprior, to movement of the switch from; its. normalposition to its reversepositionby said switch actuatingshaft,

means actuated by a train approaching.theswitch,v

' in a .trailingdirectionwhen said locking means occupies its .locking position for actuating said 1.

locking means to an ,unlocking., position until after the train has .trailedthe switch, and means controlled .by said. star: blockfor preventingsaid locking means from.mo.ving. to itsflocking po sition ifsaid switchismoved to its .normallposi tion from itsreverse .nositionby. a trailing trainl,

15. In combination v.with.a switch,.;means lincludilig a switch factuatingshaft, formoving the switch betweenits, two extremepositions, a star --55.-. block rotatable about. said .shaft,.manually open,

able means forrotatingsaid. shaft between its,

two extreme positions,independently ofsaid-start block and -.f or connecting said star. block w'vith and disconnecting it from said shaft whenever said shaft occupies either, ,extremepositiom,an.elec-- tromagnetic. latch, means for. energizing, ,said

latch whenever a train trailasaid-switch;biasing means connected with, said.- star. ,block 'bymeans. controlled in .partby -said.latch, and no rmally-i effective to bias said switch to the extreme posi-.

tion which itoccupies when .it becomes connected.

with said shaft butfeifective when a train trails.

the switch for biasing the. switchto .its opposite,

extreme position as long-,as saidlatch'remains energized, ,lockingl mechanis m for, locking the. switch inone'r extreme positionlconstantly biased to a .lock'inggposition, and-,ineans controlled ,by said staff block forpreventing said .lockingjmecha-Q nism from moving. to itsilocking Position in the} event the switch is moved to said one extreme position from its other extreme position by a train trailing the switch.

16. In combination with a switch, means including a switch actuating shaft for moving the switch between its two extreme positions, a star block rotatable about said shaft, manually operable means for rotating said shaft between its two extreme positions independently of said star block and for connecting said star block with said shaft whenever said shaft occupies either extreme position, an electromagnetic latch, means for energizing said latch whenever a train trails said switch, biasing means connected with said star block by means controlled in part by said latch and normally effective to bias said switch to the extreme position which it occupies when it becomes connected with said shaft but effective when a train trails the switch for biasing the switch to its opposite extreme position as. long as said latch remains energized, locking mechanism for locking the switch in one extreme position constantly biased to a locking position, means for operating said locking mechanism from its locking position to its unlocking position prior to movement of said switch from its one extreme position to its other extreme position by said manually operable means, and means controlled by said star block for preventing said locking mechanism from moving to its locking position in the event the switch is moved to said one extreme position from its other extreme position by a train trailing the switch.

17. In combination with a switch, means including a switch actuating shaft for moving the switch between its two extreme positions, a star block rotatable about said shaft, manually operable means for rotating said shaft between its two extreme positions independently of said star block and for connecting said star block with said shaft whenever said shaft occupies either extreme position, an electromagnetic latch, means for energizing said latch whenever a train trails said switch, biasing means connected with said star block by means controlled in part by said latch and normally effective to bias said switch to the extreme position which it occupies when it becomes connected with said shaft but effective when a train trails the switch for biasing the switch to its opposite extreme position as long as said latch remains energized, locking mechanism for locking the switch in one extreme position constantly biased to a locking position, means for operating said locking mechanism from its looking position to its unlocking position prior to movement of said switch from its one extreme position to its other extreme position by said manually operable means, means actuated by a train approaching the switch in a trailing direction when the switch occupies its one extreme position for operating said locking mechanism from its locking to an unlocking position until after the train has completely trailed the switch, and means controlled by said star block for preventing said locking mechanism from moving to its locking position in the event the switch is moved to said one extreme position from its other extreme position by a train trailing the switch.

18. The combination with a railway switch of a mechanism connected with said switch and comprising, in combination, manually operable means for throwing the switch between its two extreme positions, locking mechanism biased to a locking position and effective to lock the switch for facing point moves over the switch, means for moving said locking mechanism to an unlocking position when a train trails. the switch, an electromagnetic latch, means for energizing said latch when a train trails the switch, and spring means controlled in part by said latch and normally effective to bias the switch to a selected extreme position but effective when the switch is moved away from the selected extreme position by a trailing train for biasing the switch to and holding it in its opposite extreme position as long as said latch remains energized.

19. I'he combination with a railway switch of a mechanism connected with said switch and comprising, in combination, manually operable means for throwing the switch between its two extreme positions, locking mechanism constantly biased to its locking position and effective when in its locking position for locking the switch in one extreme position, means actuated by a train approaching the switch in a trailing direction when the switch is locked in said one extreme position for actuating said locking mechanism to unlock the switch until after the train is completely past the switch, means for moving said locln'ng mechanism to its unlocking position prior to movement of said switch from its one extreme position to its other extreme position by said manually operable means, an electromagnetic latch, means for energizing said latch whenever a train trails the switch, spring means connected with said switch by means controlled in part by said latch and normally eifective to bias the switch to a selected extreme position but effective when the switch is moved away from the selected extreme position by a trailing train for biasing the switch to and holding it in its opposite extreme position as. long as said latch remains energized, and means for preventing said locking mechanism from moving to its locking position when said switch is moved to one only of its two extreme positions by a train trailing the switch.

HERBERT L. BONE.

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