US2304058A - Current collector - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 1, 1942. E. E. ARNOLD CURRENT COLLECTOR 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 28, 1940 INVENTOR WITNESSES Dec. 1, 1942.

E. E. ARNOLD 2,304,058

CURRENT COLLECTOR Filed June 28, 1940 v 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 WITNESSES: INVENTOR Edwin 7. Arnold. J4-

A 'ATTOR 4 Y 1, 1942- E. E. ARNOLD ,304,058

CURRENT COLLECTOR Filed June 28, 1940 I 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fly: 14.

WITNESSES v v INVENTOR M' Edwin E. Arnold.

Patented Dec. 1, 1942 a E E r oN rE STAT ATENT QFFICE.

2,304,058 CURRENT COLLECTOR Pennsylvania Application June28, 1940, Serial No. 342,908

(Cl. ISL-59.1)

Claims.

My invention relates, generally, to current collectors, and it has reference, in particular, to current collectors of the slider shoe type for collecting current from a trolley conductor for electrically operated vehicles.

Generally stated, it is an object of my invention to provide a current collector of simple construction, and which is inexpensive to manuiacture and efiicient and durable in operation.

More specifically, it is an object of my invention to provide for pivotally supporting a slider shoe of a current collector on a support member for universal movement about a substantial point contact utilizing retaining means for normally securing the slider sho in operating relation with the support member, and providing auxiliary retaining means for preventing accidental separation of the slider shoe and the support member.

Another object of my invention is to provide for maintaining a predetermined minimum contact pressure at a contact point between a slider shoe and a support, and utilizing auxiliary retaining means for preventing accidental removal of the slider shoe from the support.-

A further object of my invention is to provide for resiliently retaining a slider shoe and a support member in a predetermined operating relation and protecting the retaining means by utilizing auxiliary normally inefiective retaining means for limiting the degree of separation of the slider shoe and the support member.

Still another object of the invention is to .provide for detachably securing a depending skirt and a slider shoe in fixed relation and retaining them in operating relation with. a support memher by resilient retaining means.

Other objects will, in part, be obvious and will, in part, be indicated hereinafter.

In practicing my invention, a slider shoe for a current collector on an electrically operated. vehicle may be pivotally supported by a support member so as to oscillate about a substantial point contact therebetween, through which the current may be conducted from the slider shoe. A depending skirt may be attached to the slider shoe by adjustable clamp members positionedon each side of the shoe so as to substantially enclose'the point of contact between the slider shoe and the support member. Spring members may beoperatively connected to the clamp members and the support member Within the depending skirt for maintaining the slider shoe and the support member in predetermined operating relation. I A dependent .portion of the skirt may be normally positioned in spaced relation to means on the support member, and disposed to cooperate therewith under any unusual conditions to prevent accidental separation of the slider shoe and the support member and protect the spring members.

For a more complete understanding of the nature and scope of my invention, reference may be had to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a current collector embodying the principal features of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of. the current collector of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view along the line III--III of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of the support member; I

Fig. 5 is a cross-section view of the slider shoe Fig. .6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the slider shoe;

Fi 7 is a plan view of the skirt member;

Fig. 8 is a side view in elevation of the skirt member;

Fig. 9 is an end elevational View of the skirt member;

Fig. 10 is a plan view of a clamp member;

Fig. 11 is a side elevational view of the clamp member;

Fig. 12 is a plan View of a current collector embodying a modification of the'invention;

Fig. 13 is a side elevational view partly in section, of the current collector of Fig. 12; and

Fig. 14 is an end elevational View, partly in section, of the current collector of Fig. 12.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, the reference numeral I0 may denote generally a current collector comprising, for example, a grooved slider shoe l2 for engaging a trolley conductor (not shown), a body member M for attachment to a trolley pole or the like, and a support member It for pivotally supporting the slider shoe on the body member.

The slider shoe l2 may be provided with a depending housing or skirt member I 8 which substantially encloses the support member. For the purpose of securing the slider shoe and the skirt member together, suitable means such' as the clamp members 20 may be provided, which may be positioned on each side of the slider shoe. By utilizing bolts 22 and nuts 24 for adjustably securing the clamp members to the skirt member IS, the slider shoe may be readily secured to the skirt member or detached therefrom for effecting renewals.

In order to secure the slider shoe I2 and'the skirt member IS in predetermined operating relation to the support member [6 suitable retaining means may be provided. For example, a ballbearing retaining ring 26 of the thrust type may be rotatably mounted on the support member I6, and resilient retaining members such as the springs 28 may be operatively connected between the ring and the slider shoe. For example, the lower ends of the springs 28 may be hooked through openings 30 on opposite sides or the retaining ring 26, while the upper ends may be secured to means such as the depending cars 32 on the lower sides of the clamp members 2!! which engage the slider shoe.

The slider shoe l2 and the skirt member I8 may thus be secured on the support member l6 for oscillation in a plurality of planes about the point of contact therebetween. The retaining springs 28 are effective to maintain a predetermined minimum contact pressure at the point of contact between the slider shoe and the support member to insure the proper current conducting characteristics for efficient operation of the current collector.

The body member It may be of any suitable construction being, for example, formed from sheet metal and having a substantially vertical socket 34 for receiving the support member i6, and an angularly related socket portion 36 for receiving a trolley pole, or trolley pole extension 38. Means, such as the bolts 45, may be provided for firmly securing the trolley pole or trolley pole extension in the socket 36.

Referring to Fig. 4 of the drawings, it may be seen that the support member It may comprise a substantially cylindrical central body portion 42 having a threaded extension 44 of reduced section at the lower end for receiving a nut, by means of which the support member may be secured in the socket 34 of the body member. Suitable means may be provided for preventing rotation of the support member IS in the socket 34, such as, for example, the flattened side portions 23 adjacent the threaded extension 44, which may cooperate with a similarly flattened side portion of the opening in the bottom of the socket 34. An enlarged end portion 45 may be provided adjacent the upper end of the support member so as to define a peripheral shoulder 55, which may be used for a purpose which will be hereinafter explained.

In order to pivotally support the slider shoe [2, the support member is may be provided with a substantially pointed contact member 52 at the upper end, which is preferably of a relatively hard material having a relatively low electrical resistance. Beryllium copper alloys may, for example, be used successfully for this purpose. The contact member 52 may be secured to the support member in any suitable manner, being for example, exteriorly threaded for engaging corresponding threads on the interior of a central opening 55 in the upper end of the support stem.

By referring to Figs. 5 and 6 it may be seen that the slider shoe 52 may be generally of any suitable construction comprising, for example, an elongated body member 55 of a non-ferrous metal, such as aluminum, bronze, or the like, and having a longitudinal groove 58 on the upper side with upstanding lips 35 for receiving a trolley conductor (not shown). In order to secure the desired wear and current conducting characteristics, the body member 56 may be provided with a wear and current conducting insert 62 to provide a bearing surface on at least the bottom of the groove 58 for engaging the trolley conductor. The insert 62 may be of any suitable nature comprising, for example, either a carbonaceous compound, or the like, or a relatively hard metallic insert, depending upon the particular wear or current conducting characteristics desired.

With a view to pivotally supporting the slider shoe l2 on the contact member 52, suitable means 'may be provided for receiving the contact member 52, such as, for example, the substantially conical recess 66 on the lower side of the slider shoe. In order to provide substantially point contact so as to secure the proper current conducting characteristics and permit the slider shoe to oscillate freely on the contact member 52, the sides of the conical recess 65 should subtend a relatively'wide angle compared with the angle included between the sloping sides of the contact member 52. Where it is desired to form the body member 56 of the slider shoe of a relatively soft non-ferrous metal, it may be expedient to provide a hardened insert 68 of a material such as tool steel or chilled cast iron on the lower side of the slider shoe having the recess 66 formed therein, so as to provide a suitable supporting and current conducting contact with the contact member 52 of the support member It. The Wear insert 62 and the insert 68 may be positioned in the body member 56 in any suitable manner, being, for example, cast integral therewith, so that an intimate current conducting contact 7 is secured therebetween. Suitable means may 'be provided for assisting in aligning the slider shoe on the skirt member, such as, for example, the projections 10 on the lower sidethereof adjacent the ends. Projecting side portions 12 may be provided on each side of the body member 56 adjacent the lower side for engagement with the clamp members 20 to assist in securing the slider shoe to the skirt member [8.

Referring to Figs. 7, 8 and 9, it will be apparent that the skirt member 18 may, for example, comprise a substantially hemispherical shell 74, having a relatively fiat top portion 16. An elongated opening 18 may be provided in the bottom of the shell 14 for receiving the central body portion 42 of the support member IS. The sides of the opening may be substantially parallel, and spaced apart sufiiciently so as to permit movement of the skirt relative to the support member. A central opening 82 may be provided in the top 16 of the skirt member for receiving the insert 68 on the lower side of the slider shoe, so that the contact member 52 may be positioned in the recess 66 thereof. Suitable openings 84 may also be provided in the top 15 for receiving the projections 10 on the lower side of the slider shoe I2, for the purpose of properly aligning the slider shoe on the skirt member. With a view to securing the slider shoe l 2 and the skirt member I8 in fixed relation, means such as the cored-out openings 86, may be provided on each side of the shell 14 of the skirt member for receiving the nuts 24. Suitable bolt holes 88 may be provided in the top of the skirt member for the bolts 22 by means of which the clamp members may be detachably secured to the skirt member. Means such as the openings 80 may be provided in the top of the skirt member at each side for receiving the depending ears 32 of the clamp members. With a view to assisting in securing the slider shoe and the skirt member, shoulder portions 92 may be provided at the outer edges of the top 16 to function as fulcrums for the clamp members 2 0.

- Referring to Figs. "10 and 11, it will be'obv'ious that the clamp members may, for example, comprise substantially 'flat plate portions 94 having the ends shaped to. conform with the contourof the skirt member. Means such as the depending ears 32 may be positioned on the lower: sides, having openings 96 therein forreceiving the ends of the retaining springs 28. Suitable openings 98 may be provided in the plate portions adjacent the ends for receiving the bolts'22 by means of which they may be attached to the skirt member. Openings 99 may also be provided in-the plate portions 94 so that a suitable tool may be inserted therein to tilt the clamp members on edge to facilitate placing the slider shoe I2 in position or removing it therefrom. 1 In assembling thecurrent collector, the retaining ring 26 may be slipped onto the central body portion 42 of the support stem I6, so'that it fits up against the peripheral shoulder 50. end 44 of the support stem; I6 may then be-inserted through the top opening 82 and the opening- 18 of the bottom of the skirt member I8, and positioned in the socket 34 of the body member I4 of the current collector, where it may be rigidly secured by means of the nut I00; The lower ends of the retaining springs 28' may then'be' inserted in the openings 38 of the retaining ring 26, and the upper ends thereof may-be hooked'through the openings96 in the depending ears 32 of the clamp members 20by drawing them up through the openings 90 provided for'that purpose on each side of the top of the skirt member. The slider shoe I2 may then be positioned with the contact member 52 in the recess 66, and secured in fixed relation to the skirt member I8 by inserting a suitable tool in one of the openings 99 of the clamp members and tilting it on edge'so that the side portions I2 of the slider shoe maybe positioned under the edges of the clamp members 20,

positioning-thebolts 22' through the openings '98 in the clamp members and the corresponding openings 86 in the top portion of the skirt member, and tightening the nuts 24. I

The slider shoe I2 is then free to oscillate on the contact member 52 of the support member I6, being limited onlyby the sides' 80 ofthe opening I8 in the bottom of the skirt member, which prevent oscillation of the slider shoe aboutan axis parallel to the longitudinal'axis of the slider shoe, or the groove 58. The retaining springs 28 normally provide a'predetermined minimum contact pressure between the contact member 52 and the insert-68' in the bottom of the slider shoe, so as to'normall-y prevent any separation of these members and provide a'relativelyj good conducting path for collecting current from the slider shoe.

'It will be observed that the sides -80 of the opening I8 in the bOttOm 'Of the skirt member I8- normally limit only-the degree of oscillation of the slider shoe I2 and the skirtmember I8 on the contact member52, and do not otherwise engage or interfere with the support member. *"However', should there be a tendency for the, slider'shoe I2 and the skirt member I8 to be separated from the securedagairist upward movement on the support member I'B by the peripheral shoulder '5 0. In this manner, an-auxiliary retaining means provided for preventing accidental removal of the slider The lower generally a current collector comprising, a slider shoe I I2 pivotally supported on 'the contact'member I I-"of a support uremiaer: (II a; which is 1 30- sitioned in a body memberl m" having a socket portion I20 for'lebe'ivih'g 'atrol-ly pol e or trolley pole extension l zzr 1 In this modification 0f the invention, the Slider shoe 1- 2 may be providedwith a substantially conical recess I24 on thelower side for receiving the contact member I I4, and-an elongated groove I26, in the upper .si'de for receiving "a trolley wire.--F'lang'ed side portions I-28"ma y be provided having opening therethrough for receiving means,- such as the bolts" I 30', forattaching a dependingskirt member I 32' the'1e'to. Suitable means, such as the rivets-I34 may be positioned in openings I36 in the flang'ed's'id'e portions I28 for securing the upper ends of retaining springs I38, The lower ends of the retaining springs I38 may be secured' by means such as the extending ears I40 of a retaining or thrust ri'ng I42, which maybe rotatablymounte'd on the support member I'I6 and: positioned against a peripheral shoulder I44 thereof. I Y For the purpose of preventing a'ccidental removal of the slider shoe ll2andthe skirt memberzl32 from the support member II6, during operation, auxiliary-retainingmeans maybe provided. For example, a support member. II 6' may be provided with anv enlarged headportion I46 at theupper end, forming a perip'h'eral'shoulder I48. The depending sides I50 of theskirt member I3'2-may.be provided with. inwardly projecting portions I52 at the lower;end thereof, having sufficient clearance .therebetwe'en to normally freely permit motion of: the skirt-member. I32

relative to thesupport member in the vertical plane passing. through; the. longitudinal axis 3 of the slider shoe, but'adaptedto'interfere with the:

peripheral. shoulder I48 if there should be any any excessive force be applied to the-slider shoe shoe from the contact-member, and protecting and skirt member, tending to remove them from the support member, theiinwardly projecting portions I52 will. engage the peripheral shoulder I48 to prevent; the removal. At the same time, this operating characteristics of the current co1lector. :The enlarged head's'portion I46 maybe slightly elongated if desired, so that the projecting front -and=rear portions engage the depending sides I50 .of the skirt member interfere therewith after a predetermined degree of rotation of the slider shoe and skirt member about a vertical axisQ- Limitedrotation-of the slider shoe is thus'provided for.,

From the above description and the accom panying drawings, itv ,willbe apparent that I have, by my invention,v provided, a current collector of simple construction, which may be readily manufactured, and which is efficient and .durable in operation. Ina current'collector embodying the features of myinvention, the slider shoe may be readily removed therefromffor renewal an inspection purposeswith a minimum ot effort. such a currentcollector has 'very desirshoe may freely oscillate about a point of contact between the slider shoe and the support member. Because of the relatively high contact.pres-' sure which may be maintained;between -the contact member and the slider .shoe,.the current carrying characteristics thereof remain substantially unaifected over long periodsof use and the undesirable heating normally encountered in current collectors'is materially reduced. The auxiliary retaining means effectively prevents the accidental removal of the slider shoe from the contact 'member, and also protects theretaining springs so as to assist in preserving the desired operating characteristics.

Since certain changes I may be made in the above description, and: difierent embodiments of the invention may be made without. departing from the spirit thereof, it is. intended that all the matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings,- shall be port only after predetermined deformation of the resilient retaining means to limit the degree of separation of the slider shoe and the support.

2. A current collector comprising, a slider shoe,

support means positioned beneath the slider shoe for supporting the slider shoe'includingrelatively movable surfaces having-a substantially point contact therebetween to..provide for. oscillation of the slider shoe in aplurality of planes about.

said substantially point contact, resilient retaining means connecting. the slider shoe" and the support means normally effective-to secure the slider shoe of the support means,- and a skirt member dependentfrom the slider shoe cooperative with the supporting means only after pre-' determined deformation of the resilient retaining means to prevent accidental'removal of the slider shoe therefrom.

3. In a current collector, in combination, a support member, a slider shoe supported on the support member for substantially universal movement having a. groove on the upper side for engaging a trolleyconductor and a hardened insert on the lower side in substantially point con tact relation with the support member, retaining means for normally securing the slidershoe and the support member in predetermined relation,

and normallyinoperative auxiliary retainingmeans cooperative withthe support member under abnormal conditions to prevent accidental removal of the slider shoe from the ber. 7

4. In combination, a slider shoe, a. support positioned beneath the slide shoe for pivotally supporting the slider shoe in substantially :point' contact relation, a housing positioned beneath the slider shoe, means for detachably securing the slider shoe and the housing in fixed relation,

retaining means positioned'within the housing normally effective to secure the slider shoe and the housing in operating relation'with the support, and normally inoperative auxiliary retaining means on the housing cooperative with the,

support'mem-.

support. uponpredetermined deformation of the able operating. characteristics, since :the'jslider' retaining means for preventing accidental sepa-- ration .ofthe slider shoe and support.

; 5. Alcurrent' collector; comprising a,substantially. vertical support, a .slidershoe loosely positioned on; and having substantially point contact with the support, a skirt. member positioned about the support, means-secured to the upper side of the skirt .member. for. detachablysecuring the; slider .shoeand the skirt member' in' fixed relation, .resilient retaining. means...norma1ly .co.- operative with the said means to maintain the slider shoe on the support, and normally inoper-.

ative retaining means. on the skirt member;co-' operative. with the support upon a predetermined. separation ofthe shoe andsupport to prevent.v

greater than said predetermined separation of theslider shoe and the support.

6.;In a current collector, in combination, a. support, .a slidershoe substantially loosely posisilient means to normally. secure the slider shoeon the supportin operating relationyandnormally inoperative means on the housing cooperative with the supportupon a predetermined deformation of the resilient retaining means to prevent more-; than saidpredeterminedsepara tion of the slider shoe and support.

7. A current collector comprising, a} slider shoe body having agroove on the upper side with a,

wear insertproviding a conductor engaging, surface in the groove and a hardened insert on the,

lower side cast integral therewith, asupport member having a contact portion positioned beneath, the slider shoe. engaging the insert in thelower,

side .of the slidershoe in substantially point; contact relation for pivotally supporting the slider shoe about thepoint contactv therebetween, a

housing having side portions dependent from the shoe, clamp means detachably securing the. housing and slider shoe, and resilientretaining means positioned within the housing operatively con nected between the clamp means and the support member-for securing theslider shoe and the sup:

port member in operating relation and maintaining a predetermined contact pressure therebetween.

8. In a current collector,.i n combination, a.

slidershoe, a substantially vertical support p0.-

sitioned beneath the slider shoe havingaremovable pointed contact member for pivotally sup,-

and the housing in iixed relation, a pair of springs positioned =within the housing; coopera-.

tive with said means normally operable tomaintain the slider shoe andpointed contact mem-v berin a predetermine d operating relation, and means on the housing normally spaced from the support-operable toengage the supportto pre vent accidental separation of the slider shoe and, predetermined deformacontact member upon tion ofthe springs.

9. A.'current collector comprising a support havin'g a pointed contact member at the upper end, a.- housing having vanelongated opening in the lower portion for receiving the supportv and.

allowing relative movement therebetween and, an

openingin the topi,-'.a. s1 iderlsho positioned on the housing having a portion over the opening in the top for engaging the point of the pointed contact member, means secured to the top of the housing to engage the slider shoe for detachably securing it to the housing, and a pair of springs operatively connected to the said means and to the support to maintain the slider shoe and the support in predetermined operating relation.

10. A current collector comprising, a slider shoe having a groove in the upper side for engaging a trolley conductor, a substantially vertical support member having a pointed contact member positioned beneath the slider shoe for pivotally supporting the slider shoe for substantially universal movement about the point thereof and an enlarged shoulder portion adjacent the upper end, a retaining ring positioned on the support member adjacent the shoulder portion, resilient retaining means on opposite sides of the slider shoe operatively connected to the slider shoe and the retaining ring normally operable to retain the shoe on the support member, and a housing secured to the slider shoe having an elongated central opening therein for receiving the support member with inwardly projecting side portions normally spaced from the shoulder portions of the support member operable to engage the shoulder portions upon predetermined separation of the shoe and support member to provide auxiliary retaining means.

EDWIN E.ARNOLD.

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