US281516A - millee kelly - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.)

J..M. KELLY.

RAILWAY TIME INDICATOR. No. 281,516; Patented July 17, 1883.

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J. MILLER KELLY, or ROCHESTER, NEW YORK.

RAILWAY TIME-INDICATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 281,516, dated July 17, 183.

Application filed January 26. 1883. (X model.)

sisting of a case provided with translucent sides, internal means of illumination, and transverse troughs or supports adjacent to said sides, and with a series of independent characters adapted, substantially as described, for application to and removal from the supports freely and at will, and in the combination, with the ground or translucent glass of a train-indicator illuminated from the interior, of a permanent station-signal and detachable signals indicating the requisite information regarding preceding trains, as hereinafter specified in detail.

My improved train-indicator is represented in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a front view. Fig. 2 is a plan view. Figs. 3 and 4 represent the signals detached. Figs. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 represent modifications of the mode of attaching the signals.

My improved train-indicator consists of a case or frame, A, of suitable size, provided with ground or painted glass I I on its two exposed sides, and illuminated by a suitable lamp in its interior. In the drawings, Fig. 1, I have represented an ordinary kerosene-lamp as used for the illumination; but when the indicator is used at stations where gas can be obtained the signals may be displayed at nightby the latter illuminant. One of the sides is formed by a door, B, consisting of a frame having translucent or ground glass sides andprovided with suitable hinges and a catch, as represented in the drawings, so that access may be had to the interior of the case by opening the door, as represented at B, Fig. 2. The glass plates are preferably attached to the case by being slid into grooves at their edges formed of strips of sheet metal bent into proper shape and fastened to the case, this arrangement permitting the renewal of the glass with facility; but any other suitable mode of attaching the glass may be employed. A reflector may be placed behind the lamp; but as the back of the the indicator is designed to be used is painted or otherwise permanently affixed to the translucent glass on both sides of the case, as indicated at E E.

. The removablesignals F G H, which, in general, will be the day of the month or the Week, the number or descriptive name of the last train which has passed the station, and the time when it passed, are attached to the sides of the case in the following manner: A trough or support, a, which is preferably formed of sheet metal bent into the required shape, is affixed adjacent to the case or the door, so as to extend horizontally across the glass, at some little distance in front thereof. (See Fig. 3.) The detachable signals consist of characters, as letters or figures, formed of any suitable material, and provided at their lower ends with ablock of wood or metal,b, Fig. 3, which fits the trough a, so that the signals may be readily removed from or applied to the trough. Anumber of troughs are employedsufficient to afford support for the requisite signals. The interval 0, Fig. 3, between the inner side of the trough and the front of the glass prevents any accumulation of snow, which otherwise might obscure the signals during the winter.

The glass may be either ground or painted white on its inner face; but I prefer to use ground glass, as the paint is liable to flake off after a time, and the ground glass not only af fords the best illumination at night, but also forms a brilliant white background, against which the signals stand out boldly during the day-time. The name of the station and the troughs for sustaining the changeable signals are used on each of the glazed sides of the case, one of the sides showing the signals for trains passing in one direction and the other for trains passing in the opposite direction. The triangular form of the case is not essential; but it is desirable that the signals should be displayed at an angle with the track, as affording a better view.

Access might be had to the lamp in the in tcrior of the case through the rear thereof; but as the device, when put up for use, will generally be affixed to the wall of the stationhouse or other building, one of the glazed sides is made to open as a door, as indicated in the drawings. Each indicator is furnished with a sufficient number of detached signals to con.- vey the information desired as to the date of the month or the day of the week, the number or character of the last train, and the time when it passed the given station. The signals are preferably of a black or dark color.

In the practical use of my improved trainindicator the station-agent or other railway employ at any given station, after the passage of a train, changes the signals, so as to indicate to the train-men of the next train proceeding in the same direction the character of the preceding train and the time when it passed the station in question.

In Figs. 5, 6, 7, S, 9, and 10, I have represented modifications of the means adopted for supporting the signals in front of the ground glass. Thus in Figs. 5 and 6 an eye, 0, is affixed to the back of the signals, and this slides over a bar, f, attached to the case or door, by being inserted in ahole in sockets g. In Fig.v 7 the signal is attached to a bar by a springclip, 71., which embraces the bar. In Fig. 8 the signal is provided with pins i, which are inserted in holes in the bar. In Figs. 9 and 10 the signal is inserted between two bars, being provided at its top with lugs or pins which sustain it in position.

I am aware that an opaque body containing an internal means of illumination and having letters or characters cut through its; sides. has been provided with slides by means of which said openings could be closed.

I am also aware that street-lamps have been provided with letters or characters attached thereto by means of two grooved bars, the characters being, however, designed to remain unchanged, and being secured permanently to the frame by which they were carried, and the frame in turn attached permanently to the lamp.

This invention is restricted to the matters and things specifically claimed herein, the right being reserved to make any other patentable features herein contained the subject of a separate application.

I claim- 1. In a train-indicator for railways, a case provided with translucent sides, internal means of illumination, and transverse supports or troughs adjacent to said sides, with a series of independent characters adapted, substantially as described, for application to and removal from the supports at will.

2. The combination, with the ground or whitened glass of a train-indicator illuminated from its interior, of the permanent station-signal E and the detachable signals indicating the requisite information about the last preceding train, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

J. MILLER KELLY.

lVitnesses:

CHAS. BUsH, H. G. PHILLIPS.

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