US2598628A - Multidelivery unit for improved train order delivery devices - Google Patents

Description

y 1952 w. WHITE MULTIDELIVERY UNIT FOR IMPROVED TRAIN ORDER DELIVERY DEVICES 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 10, 1947 INVENTOR. Z/z'ZyZ. Z/z'ze,

ATTORNEYS May 27, 1952 w. L. WHITE MULTIDELIVERY UNIT FOR IMPROVED TRAIN ORDER DELIVERY DEVICES I 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Eileapt. 10. 1947 J WW ATTO R N EYB W. L. WHITE MULTIDELIVERY UNIT FOR IMPROVED May 27, 1952 TRAIN ORDER DELIVERY DEVICES v 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 10, 1947 I INIENTOR.

ATI'D RNEYB May 27, 1952 w, wHlTE 2,598,628

- MULTIDELIVERY UNIT FOR IMPROVED TRAIN ORDER DELIVERY DEVICES Filed Oct. 10, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 VII/11b7,

' 1m -E 31 NEW 33- i 32 I ATTD RN EYE Patented May 27, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MULTIDELIVERY UNIT FOR IMPROVED TRAIN ORDER DELIVERY DEVICES Wiley L. White, Calwa City, Calif.

Application OctoberlO, 1947, Serial No. 779,124

3 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a train order delivery device.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a train order delivery device which will deliver train orders at different elevations along the train and wherein provision is made so that a plurality of train orders can be delivered at the same elevation as when there are two or three locomotives pulling a train and each engineer is to have a train order, the delivery device will, in succession, deliver the train order at the high elevation and to each of the several engineers.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a multiple train order delivery device arrangement whereby the release of the first train order delivery element will cause the movement of the next train order delivery element into its lowered station and so on.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide a multiple train order delivery unit which is of simple construction inexpensive to manufacture and efficient in operation.

For other objects and for a better understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of my train order delivery unit with one of the train order elements lowered into position, another in the raised position and a third element in the extended or released position.

Fig. 2 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken through the adjustable support and as viewed on line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 2a is a cross-sectional view similar to Fig. 2 showing a modified form of support.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary and front elevational view of the delivery device with the several elements at different positions.

Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are respectively cross-sectional views taken on lines 44, 5-5 and 6-45 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary and rear elevational view of the supporting plate extending laterally from the vertically'extending support.

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 11.

Figs. 9 and 10 are respectively cross-sectional views taken on lines 9-9 and Ill-l of Fig. 8.

Fig. 11 is an end elevational view of the attaching element shown in Figure 8.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary rear face view of the laterally extending plate.

Fig. 13 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken on line |3--I3 of Figure 3 with certain of the parts removed.

Fig. 14 is a front elevational view of the laterally extending supporting plate taken with the hinged brackets in their lowered positions thereon and with certain of the parts removed.

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary enlarged cross-sectional view taken on the line l5l5 of Figure 14.

Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 16-! 5 of Figure 15.

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary plan view of one of the train order units showing the attachment of the train order cord thereto.

Fig. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken through the cord retainer and mounting plate, the view being taken on line l8l8 of Figure 17.

Fig. 19 is a fragmentary elevational view of the post showing one of the mounting brackets thereon.

Referring now to the drawings, 2| represents a post which is formed with telescopic parts 22 and 23 which are preferably made of light weight metal. The part 22 may be slid on the part 23 to adjust the heighth of the post and the lower end of the post is removably set in an opening in a concrete base in the ground, wherein it may readily be removed for safety reasons. The train orders are attached to the post while it is in position in the base. Units 24 which have outwardly extending arms 6| and 62 for holding the train orders are removably mounted on the section 22 of the post. The units 24 may either be affixed to individual plates 16 or 16a as shown in Figures 3 and 19, or a plurality or battery of units may be provided and these may be mounted through a plate 25 which is held on the plate or bracket 16 by headed projections 18, with a strap 26 at the back held by a bolt 21 with a nut 28 at one end and a bolt 29 at the outer end, as illustrated in Figure 13. In order to provide for a connection of one unit to the plate 25, there is fixed over the inner end of the transversely extending plate 25 a bracket 3|, Fig. 14, having keyhole openings 32 therein with reduced portions 33. Each unit 24 has a U-shaped supporting member 34 having headed projections or studs 35 thereon adapted to enter the openings 32 and be drawn into the narrowed portions 33 whereby to fiX the unit to the bracket 3| and the plate 25.

At spaced locations outwardly from the bracket 3| on the plate are hinges 31 and 38. To these hinges there are respectively connected brackets 39 and 40 adapted to be hinged upwardly to a raised position or downwardly to a position where the unit will be in place to dispatch the train order. When the brackets are down they are retained in place by a catch device 42, Figs.

l5 and 16. This catch 42 includes a lever 43, a spring 44 and a hook formation 45 on the lever 43. The lever 43 is pivoted on a pivot pin 46. The hook formation 45 will engage the lower end of the hinged bracket to retain the same in place when the unit is dropped. The brackets 39 and 40 also have openings 32 with narrow portions 33 to receive the train order units.

On the plate 25 is a laterally extending plate 41 to which are connected clips 48-, best seen in Fig. 6. There are two sets of clips 48, one set at one side of the hinged bracket 39 and another set at the opposite side of the bracket 39, In these clips there is journalled' a horizontal portion 49 of a double arm lever having a handle extension 5| and an arm extension 52 extending at an angle thereform. The end- 52 of the arm extension 52 enters. a slot 53 in a lug 54 on the side of the hinged bracket. On the-side of each of the brackets 39 and 40 is an eye 55 to. which a tension. spring 5.6 is connected. The opposite of the tension. spring is, connected by eye: 51:, to' the handle portion 5 l.

The location. of thisspring, its size and strength, is very. essential. It performs two iunctiorlsfirst, it: holds the trip lever in the notch. on the bracket in such a manner that it makes this device positively shake-proof in set position. Second, itvery essentially assists in pulling theperpendicularly; set. unit down to a delivery position upon thegpreceding unit being; released, increasing the speed of this downward. movement. Tension ofthis. spring can be adjusted at lower. end along the length of trip; lever It works the same regardless from which direction the train. approaches it.

In addition to the U-shaped member 34, each unit 24: includes. a mounting housing 59, Fig. 6, for pivoted. arms 6,! and 62. The pivot connection of each arm is efiected by a pivot pin 63 extending through. a sleeve 64 on the lower end of the; The sleevet4; has a tension spring fidconnected to it and: this tension spring is anchored. onthe. forward; end of the. housing 5.9; by. a fastener 66. The spring. 65 will-tend to p'ult the armto down position: as in the case of the; lower". arm amito a raised position as in the case- 01 thau-pper arm. In other words the arms 6t and 62 will be spread apart by the action of the springs: 65-. The housing 59 is fastened to the U shaped member 34 by an attaching memberfi'lg- Fig. 6; through which extends a pivot bolt 68% The arms 6i and 62' when pulled by the springswill be retained against stops 69. The housing 59 and; the attaching member 61 will be retained in an extended position in the ti -shaped member 34 and in advance thereof by a spring device H, Fig; 8'. The unit can turn w one side or the other when the spring. pressure onthe device H is overcome. A stop Ill limits the swing of g the attaching member 61 of unit 24.

The arms H and 62 will be retained in a position bya train order cord 12' having a train order i3 thereon. This cordf'is arranged in triangular fashion over hooks on the ends of arms 6! and .62 and'its inner en'dsecured under a clip 14 so as to provid'ean opening through which the arm of the engineer or trainman can be extended. Thecord [2 keeps arms 6i and. 62 closedi against tension ofIsprings 65.

A modification. is; illustrated in Figure 2a wherein the inner tubular section zap: the post isiformed of a specialstructuralshape and it will be understood that the post may be of any suitable shape or design.

As hereinbefore stated the plate has headed projections or studs 18 on the back that are inserted in keyhole sockets "H in plates 16 and then the plates 25 are clamped to the post by straps 26 with bolts 2'1 and 23. As shown in Figure 4 the material struck from the plate to form the sockets TI is bent backward to form spring flaps 1 8* that resiliently hold the heads of the projections 18.

In the upper part of Figure 3 a plate or bracket 16 is provided which extends to the opposite side of the post, and it will be understood that as many of these plates as may be desired may be used and they may extend toward either side of the post. The plate 76 is provided with sockets 71 similar to the sockets H of the plate shown Figure 19.

Only one unit after the cord has been connected to it, is extended laterally at one time. The handle portion 5| of the lever 49 is ex:- tended into the path of. one of the arms of the unit. When a cord is pulled from the first unit which is adjacent tothe vertical rod: support, and on. the inner end of the plate 25, the force with which the arm 62. of the unit en gages with handle 51 and overcomes tension of spring 56;,- willcause portion of lever 52,. car rying projection 52% to disengage from slot-153 of upright. lug 54; of swing bracket 39,. allowing spring 53 to forcibly pullbracket 3-9,v assisted by downward pressure; of; a portion oi lever: 52 against lower portion oi slot. 53' to; draw quick- 1y. downwardly into place. the succeeding, unit 2t. Catch 42 will retain. the bracket in. the down position When the train order hasbeerr taken from the second unit, a similar operation will be eiiected. The unit 24 will have-itsarms spread and the lower arm 62: will in turn engage the handle arm portion 54:- ot lever 49, which. engages with the third unit on the hinged. bracketv 40. The bracket. and the unit. thereon. will be brought downwardly.

When the first order is taken and fork arms. M and (52 retract back to normal; or. perpendicular position, bottom arm. or fork stick strikes. the trip lever of second order unit, which is: setting in non-delivery DQsition, This overcomes ten: sion of the trip lever spring and unlatches the second unit. This spring very forcibly pulls the fork from positionand on-tinues itspu l-l, assisted by gravity and the prying motion of trip lever. which. is being shoved downby the.- bottom fork stick of the first unit to: a delivery position. combination oi forces, pulling down on thezfork, makes its movement into delivery position very fast and positive.- Theaction of. the secondnunit has no eiieet on thethird; unit until the. same cycle as. explained for the second-unit is put into motion; then bottom fork; stick arm of second unit strikes thetrip oi the third; unia, repeating the cycle through for; the-third unit, combination assembl-y of subordinate units could be extended on indefinitely or to any desired numher, hsu -partiscomplete with-m itself. and is only dependent upon. the unit behind it as. a means for tripping.

A spring latch catch: is properly located and secured to theplate: 2-5:.so: as ta catch over a projection at the bottom end. ot the swinging bracket to. hold this; bracket down securely when at rest in. the. delivery position.- This latch-is ao-- J tuated by the momentum and: weight of thev swinging bracket when moving down into the delivery position, and it forces the latch back against its compression spring. passing on by until the bracket projection is underneath the hook end of the latch; then the latch snaps back into the normal position over the special projection, holding the swinging bracket at full rest in delivery position.

The function of this latch is very essential as it prevents the rebound or the bouncing of the -l swinging bracket with its delivery fork attached, when the delivery position has been reached. If this rebound is not prevented it often occurs at the exact instant when the enginemen 'or the trainmen are all lined up to take orders from the fork-at high speed. This procedure on a fast moving train is similar to aiming a gun. If the target moves at the instant the trigger is pulled, you most certainly will miss. Now if the fork unit is permitted to bounce, the engineers arm will pass underneath, thereby missing the order, then the train will have to be stopped, and at high speed it will mean going by the station as much as two miles, having to walk a flagman back before the reverse movement can be made to procure the missed order which might cause as much as thirty minutes delay to the train and the purpose of the machine has been defeated and thus can be seen the purpose and importance of this spring catch.

The device -of my invention effects a delivery capacity of 5 or 6 sets of orders instead of the usual 3 or 4 and does not affect the normal delivery position of the train crews orders. The device is a unit comprising a machine complete within itself and weighs less than two pounds.

Provision is made for firmly locating and securing the device to a bracket on a telescoping post and it is designed to deliver 1, 2 or 3 sets of orders in rapid succession, in either direction, from the same horizontal plane to engine crews at cab window height when attached to the top of the post, and the use of another unit placed in a lower bracket will give double delivery to train crews. The delivery is fast and positive regardless of the direction of train movement and its use is an added safety feature for enginemen, trainmen, and operators.

The operator preparing for a three engine train delivery with the multi-unit in service, places a fork on the stationary bracket, and the next forks on successive brackets, the latter two swing up or down by being hinged at the upper end to the aluminum plate and secured at the bottom by a spring thumb latch secured to the plate. After the units are set, the operator unlatches and swings the second and third units up until the trip lever automatically latches. After delivery of the messages or orders to the train crew, the units are removed and the machine is ready for the next delivery setting.

It will be apparent that I have provided a train order delivery unit wherein a multiple number of units can be located at one elevation and wherein these units can be used in succession, the preceding unit tripping the following unit to bring it into place to dispatch a train order. It will be further apparent that, the arrangement may have difierent units mounted at different elevations and either to dispatch a single train order or to dispatch a plurality of train orders.

Having now described my invention, I claim:

1. In a train order delivery stand, the combination which comprises a vertically adjustable post, a horizontally disposed plate having spaced sockets therein carried by the post,'a second. plate hinged on said horizontally disposed plate, spaced sockets on said second plate, a U-shaped supporting unit having headed studs thereon removably held by the studs in the sockets of the second plate, a mounting housing pivotally mounted in said supporting unit, outwardly extended arms with cord holding hooks on the outer ends pivotally mounted in the said housing, springs in the housing attached to the inner ends of the arms and housing for urging the arms to outspread inoperative positions with the arms aligned and perpendicular to a center line through the housing between the pivotal mounting points of the arms, a spring clip on the housing for retaining a train order cord, an endless train order cord trained through the hooks at the outer ends of the arms and spring clips for retaining the said arms in angularly disposed outwardly extended positions, a latch for retaining said mounting housing with the arms extended in substantially a horizontal position and a second latch for retaining the second plate and said mounting housing in an upwardly extended position with the said arms substantially vertically positioned.

2. In a train order delivery stand, the combination which comprises a vertically adjustable post, a horizontally disposed plate having a pair of sockets therein and spaced pairs of sockets hinged thereto removably mounted on the post, a plurality of brackets having studs extended therefrom for retaining the brackets in the sockets of the plate, a plurality of mounting housings pivotally mounted in said brackets, outwardly extended arms with cord holding hooks on the outer ends pivotally mounted in said housings, springs in the housings attached to the inner ends of the arms and housing for urging the arms to outspread inoperative positions, spring clips on the housings for retaining train order cords, endless train order cords trained through the hooks at'the outer ends of the arms and spring clips for retaining the said arms in angularly disposed outwardly extended positions, latches for retaining the brackets of said mounting housings with the arms in extended substantially horizontal positions, latch elements for retaining the said spaced pairs of sockets that are hinged to the plate in upwardly extended positions with the said arms substantially vertically positioned, springs for urging the said mounting housings from upwardly extended positions to horizontally disposed positions, and means releasing the said latch elements retaining the said brackets with the mounting housing in upwardly extended positions when train orders are removed from the arms of the horizontally disposed mounting housings by the outspread movement of one of the arms.

3. In a train order delivery stand, the combination which comprises a vertically adjustable post, a horizontally disposed mounting plate carried by the post, said plate having a pair of vertically aligned keyhole sockets therein, a plurality of plates having vertically aligned keyhole sockets therein hinged on the said horizontally disposed mounting plate with the said keyhole sockets thereof aligned with corresponding sockets of the mounting plate, latch devices on the said horizontally disposed mounting plate for retaining the hinged plates in vertically disposed positions, latch elements also carried by the mounting plate for retaining the said hinged 1 plates; m: herizontmly dime QQSiiiiliID- having? snide pnsitiened; t0: .eaaetmith' said mounting housmgsrtw amms in inoperative positions, 2:. releasing: lexzelzr 2mm? ated by one: of the armaozf the mounting; hensings when the: 2mm. iseneleasecl 01: releasing one o fthe said latch; elements; retaining the hinged plate; brackeflimmmfingi and: amms' in upwardly extend'ezl resilient means aetuati ne one ofisaizii hinged; pistes and} elements carried. thereby fie downwardly disposed: parsitfone as; one 0f the: said; elements rein saidx brackets; amms pimtal'ly 5 meunfied in said spningss 8 leased ands 13min Qndencarrxing; cnr fi; extended from said, mounting musings and, oven the outer ende of the arms-01: retaining; the; arms, aneulamly dispqsed; oufiwardly extendede pqsitiensg REFERENCES amen The following references are of record in the fiie of this patent:

, UNITED STATES'PATENI'S Numbell Name Date 1,203 596 Feninger'et a1. Nov 1.. 1916 11,332,790: Ault Mai-t. 2, 1920 1 333923 Luntsford 16, 1-320 2*,363-311: White et aL. New. 21,, 194A

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