US2551193A

US2551193A - Rail car safety reflector

Info

Publication number: US2551193A
Application number: US788104A
Authority: US
Inventors: David M Williams
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1947-11-26
Filing date: 1947-11-26
Publication date: 1951-05-01
Anticipated expiration: 1968-05-01

Description

May 1, 1951 D. M. WILLIAMS 2,551,193

RAIL CAR SAFETY REFLECTOR Filed Nov. 26, 1947 Inventor Fig. 5

David M. Williams WW vm Patented May 1, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RAIL CAR SAFETY REFLECTOR David M. Williams, Bushnell, 111.

Application November 26, 1947, Serial No. 788,104

8 Claims.

This invention appertains to novel and useful improvements in signal devices, particularly those adapted to be utilized in conjunction with rail cars, trucks and the like.

An object of this invention is to swingingly mount an extensible arm having an eccentrically pivoted safety device associated therewith, whereby the safety device will be rotated as influenced by the movement of the swinging arm.

Another purpose of this invention is to provide means for automatically cleaning the safety device.

Another purpose of this invention is to provide means for limiting the travel of the swinging arm and restricting it to pendulous movement.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a base having means for detachably anchoring the same to any suitable support.

Another purpose of this invention is to visually signal from both the front and rear of the safety device.

Another purpose of this invention is to provide an attention-demanding safety device of the visual type which is extremely inexpensive to manufacture, being very simple in structure.

Other objects and features of novelty will become apparent in following the description of the preferred form of the invention, illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is an elevational front view of the preferred form of the invention, showing a complete cycle of operation in phantom;

Figure 2 is a Side view of the invention shown in Figure 1, portions being broken away in section to illustrate details of construction and taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Figure 1 and in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 3 is a plan View of the invention shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view of the invention in Figure 2 and taken on a line 4-4 thereof and in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 2 and in the direction of the arrows, and

Figure 6 is a sectional view of the invention shown in Figure 1 and taken on the line 66 thereof and in the direction of the arrows.

Referring now in detail to the illustrated preferred embodiment of the invention like reference characters are used throughout to indicate similar elements.

This invention has been conceived and developed to provide a device for the purpose of visually signalling a moving vehicle of any particular class, such as railway cars, trucks or other similar devices. Of course, the present invention may be adapted for use in conjunction with boats,'ships or the like.

It is within the purview of the present invention to utilize the normal rocking, vibrating and shaking associated with vehicles of the class mentioned above for actuation of the signal, safety device. 1

The general operation of the present invention is as follows:

A swingingly supported arm of an extensible nature is provided with bifurcations at one end thereof. Positioned between these bifurcations is a signal device of the visual type, which is eccentrically associated with the said bifurcations. Upon pendulous or swinging movement of the said arm due to the shaking, rocking or other movement of vehicles, the said signal device will be rotated due to its eccentricity.

Means for conditioning the said signal device is provided on the said bifurcations. This means consists primarily of a plurality of brushe which are detachably associated with each bifurcation and which engage the faces of the said signal device. As the said device is eccentrically rotated, the brushes will automatically wipe the faces thereof. In certain environments this feature is of material importance such as when the device is utilized in conjunction with railway cars. Here, soot and other undesired substances adherev to the surfaces of the said signal device thereby rendering the same ineffective.

The materials of construction which are utilized in conjunction with the present invention are, of course, variable in that this choiceresides: in sound engineering principles and dictates. However, it is Within the purview of the present invention to utilize a type of commercial plastic.

for use as the signal device which i eccentrically associated with the extensible arm. Luminous material may be utilized in association therewith to further assist in visual signalling.

A base I0 is provided of preferably a metallic substance and has mean for suitably anchoring" the same. This anchoring means may be noted .as a pair of split bearings l2 conventionally:

secured to the base.

small cam slots 20 therein.-

An extensible arm is .associated with the saidsocket l8 and is composed preferably of two

elements

22 and 24, respectively. The said element 22 terminates in a ball 26 which is seated in the said socket l8. The upper portion of the said element 22 is engageable with the said slot 20 for restricting the travel of the said

elements

22 and 24 to pendulous, swinging movement.

The said extensible arm is preferably composed of the element 22 which is tubular and the said element 24 which is engageable with the bore of the tubular element 22. A plurality of apertures 28 are provided in the said element 24 and a pair of aligned apertures provided in the said tubular member 22. Any suitable pin or the like may be extended through a selected slot or aperture 28 and through the said apertures in the tube 22. This, of course, retains the

elements

22 and 24 in selected, adjusted extensible position.

Bifurcations

30 and 32 respectively, form an extension of the said element 24 and a signal device is journaled therebetween. It is noted that the preferable; signardevice is composed of asuitable commercial. plastic and may be luminous if s desired. Also, eccentricmeans is utilized for journaling this signal device between. the said bifurcations and 32. This eccentric means consists primarily of an aperture positioned off center in the signal device 34, having pin 38 extending therethrough. This pin, of course, is also journaled in a suitable eye member 38 provided on each of the said bifurcations.

As the extensible arm is pendulously swung, the eccentrically mounted signal device 34 is oscillated about the pivot pin 36 as. an axis.

Means for conditioning the outer surfaces of the said signal device 34 is provided. This means is automatically operative upon eccentric, swinging movement of the said signal device 34. The preferential construction is the provision of a plurality of brush elements on the said

bifurcations

30 and 32 whichcontact or engage the outer faces of the said signal device 34. These brush elements mayhave resilient clips 40 associated therewith which conveniently and eificaciously engage the said bifurcations. This of course renders the said brush elements readily detachable. i

While there has been described and illustrated but a preferred form of the present invention it is apparent that variations may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

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

1. In a safety device, a base, an arm, means for swingingly supporting said arm on said base, a signal device having a signal surface eccentrically pivoted to said arm, and means carried by said arm for cleaning said signal surface during movement of said arm.

2.. In a safety device, a base, an arm, means for swinginglysupporting said arm on said base, a signal plate eccentrically pivoted to said arm, means for cleaning said signal plate during movement of said arm, and said cleaning means including a brush detachably secured to said arm and contacting said plate to clean said plate when. said plate moves with respect to said' arm.

3; Ina safety device, a base, an arm, means for swingingly supporting said arm on said base, a signal plate eccentrically pivoted to said arm, means for cleaning said signal plate during movement of said arm, said cleaning means including a brush detachably secured to said arm contacting saidplate to clean said plate when said plate moves with respect to said arm, and. means for securing said base to an anchor means.

4. Means for signaling comprising an. extensible arm, means for swingingly supporting said arm, a signal plate eccentrically pivoted to said arm, means for cleaning said plate when said plate moves with respect to said arm, and said cleaning means being detachably connected with said arm and contacting said plate.

5. Signal means including a base, means for dectachably anchoring said base, a socket secured to said base, an extensible arm having a ball, said ball being swingingly mounted in said socket, means for limiting the travel of said arm, a bifurcated extension on said arm, a signal device having a visual signal surface, means for eccentrically mounting said device between the bifurcations of said extensions, a brush detachably secured to the bifurcations and operatively contacting said signal surface and arranged to clean said surface when said plate moves with respect to said brush.

6. Signal means including a base, means for detachably anchoring said base, a socket secured to said base, an extensible arm having a ball, said ball swingingly mounted in said socket, means for limiting the travel of said arm, a bifurcated extension on said arm, a signal device having a visual signal surface, means for eccentrically mounting said device between the bifurcations of said extensions, a brush detachably secured to the bifurcations and operatively engaging said signal surface, said limiting means including slots in said socket having portions of said arm engaged therein during the travel of said arm.

7. Signal means including a base, means for detachably anchoring said base, a socket secured to said base, an extensible arm having a ball, said ball swingingly mounted in said socket, means for limiting the travel of said arm, a bifurcated extension on said arm, a signal device having visual signal surfaces, means for eccentrically mounting said device between the bifurcations of said extensions, brushes engaging said signal surfaces and detachably secured to the bifurcations, said limiting means including slots in said socket with portions of said arm disposed therein during parts of the travel of said arm, and means for retaining said extensible arm in selected extended positions.

8. Signal means including a base, means for detachably anchoring said base, a socket secured to said base, an arm having a ball, said ball swingingly mounted in said socket, means for limiting the travel of said arm, a bifurcated extension on said arm, a signal device having signal surfaces, means for eccentrically mounting said device between the bifurcations of said extensions, brushes engaging said signal surfaces and detachably secured to the bifurcations, said limiting means including slots in said socket with portions of said arm disposed therein during parts of the travel thereof.

DAVID M; WILLIAMS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,114,492 Leissing Oct. 20, 1914 1,192,780- Hebern July 25, 1916 1,559,194 Steele Oct. 27, 1925 1,641,325 Fairless Sept. 6, 1927 1,826,715 Baker Oct. 13, 1931 1,910,248 Hernandez May 23, 1933