US318619A - William iibckeet - Google Patents

Description

(No Model) W. HEOKERT.

GRIP FOR CABLE RAILWAYS.

No. 318,619. Patented May 26, 1885.

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VVIIJIJIAM IIECKEBT, OF YONKERS, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO G. HILTON SCRIBNER, OF SAME PLACE.

GRiP FOR CABLE RAILWAYS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 318,6 19,-dated Why 26, 1885.

Application filed March 21, 1885. (N0 model.)

To ccZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, \VILLIAM HECKERT, of

Yonkers. in the county of W'estchester and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cable-Grips for Connecting and Operating Cars on Cable Railroads; and I do hereby declare that the followmg is a full, clear, and exact description there of, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,and to the letters ofreference marked thereon, which form a part of this specificatron. Figure 1 represents an end elevation of my linproved cable-grip, showing the frame F and crank-shaft D in section and of a part of cable-tube. Fig. 2 represents a side elevation of the said grip.

This invention relates to railroads in which traction-cables are used to propel the cars, and is intended to form the connection between the cars and the driving or traction cable, admitting of the cars being started and stopped at any time or point, either by hand or automatically. It is so constructed that one cable may be released and another cable taken hold ofat any time or place along the line when two cables are used, the degree of grip with which it holds to the cable being governed automatically in proportion to the load to be drawn.

In Fig. 1, A represents a bracket, which is to be fixed to the under side of the car, on which the grip is held, and G C the tube in which the cables move when placed under ground. F is the lower part of grip which is in said tube, and F the upper part of the grip-frame, which has a slide-bearing, 251, in the brackets A A. The frame F is made of malleable iron or steel casting, and has lugs K K formed on it, extending up inside ofthe brackets A A, and forming vertical slide-bearings for the bars E E and the girt B, which latter connects the upper ends of E E together, thelower ends of said bars being cast together and made to form a bearing for the lower jaw, M, of said grip. Said jaw is secured to and pivoted on a shaft, 6, (shown in Fig. 1,) which shaft is provided on one of its ends with bevel-gear J, working in a corresponding gear on the vertical crank-shaft N, (shown in part by dotted lines in Fig. 2,) the end of which maybe under or extend up into, the car. By turning said crank the jaw M may be moved on its fulcrum 6, through the upper half are of a circle to the opposite horizontal position at right angles with the bars E E, at which two extreme points it becomes rigid and moves vertically with said bars, thereby gripping or releasing the cable H H. When it is desired to change from one cable to the other,the bars E E, with the movable jaw M, are let down, as hereinafter described, until the lower jaw passes under the stationary upper jaws, I I, and under the cable which it is desired to grip, when the lower jaw, M, through the bars E E, and their girt B, which has a lug extend ing over the crauk-shaftl),wliich,when turned, lifts said lowerj aw, gripping the cable slightly. Such slight pull on cable causes the frame F to move on its slide-bearings t t.

The shaft D has formed on it a central crank at 00, Fig. 2, which crank when turned to the left hand passes from under theln g and girt B, permitting the same, with the bars E E and the lower jaw, M, to fall to such position that said jaw may swing on its shaft a through the upper half of a circle clear of and under the cables H H. By continuing the rotation of shaft D, its crank, reaching its lowest point, again passes under the lug B, lifting the jaw M under the cable up to position shown in drawings. Said shaft D has its bearings in the stationary brackets A A, whereby longitudinal movement of shaft is prevented. Said shaft is provided with inclines S S in addition to the throw of crank. The lug B is therefore compelled to move up one or the other incline S, thereby increasing the grip on cable in proportion to the resistance or load to be drawn.

The shaft D is also provided with bevelgears L, shaft, and wheel G, through which the grip maybe operated by hand; or it may be operated automatically and independently by means of the vertical shaft B, which has horizontal arms secured to its lower end, extending right and left of the grip, a stop, 1?, being secured to the cable-tube O G at all such points as may be desirable to release the cable automatically. The car and arms V V,

being in motion, strike the stop P,ca using the shaft R and gears Lto make a partial revolution, and thereby turn the shaft D with the throw of a crank down, releasing the grip on cable. In like manner a stop in the opposite cable-tube section would strike the corresponding opposite lever V V, and cause the grip to be closed again. It is evident that such stops placed at crossings of other cable roads would allow the car to proceed at full speed to the crossing, where the first stop would release the cable, and the car by its momentum, having passed over the other track, strikes the second stop, gripping the cable and proceeding on its way, requiring no attention of conductor or driver whatever.

The shaft D may be extended so as to place hand-wheels G on both ends of the car. The

' upper jaws, I I, are stationary, being formed on and a part of the frame F, with recesses for interchangeable shoes for gripping the cable.

The lower and movablejaw, M, is made with both sides adapted to grip the cable,and has a recess formed 011 both sides, in which wooden or metallic shoes may be placed to renew the same when worn. Each end of said jaw is also provided with friction rollers to act on both sides when the cable is released and moving through said grip free of the shoes.

The brackets A A have round sockets formed in each end to receive the ends of steel or rubber springs. (Notshown) The other ends rest against the lugs K K on the frame F, whereby the said frame is caused to return to a central position each time whenever the cable is released, the lug B coming over the crank between the inclines S S on the shaft D where it is held by said springs ready for the next operation.

Having described my invention, what 1 claim as new, and wish to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The brackets A A, fixed to the car,with slides t t for receiving the frame F and shaft D, all constructed as and for the purposes specified.

2. The frame F, with fixed jaws I I, in combination withbars E E, having changeable jaw M, pivoted on shaft 6, to move through the upper arc of a circle, as and for purposes speci 5o 3. The brackets A A, frame F, reversible jaw M, operated by gears J, and shaft N, constructed as and for purposes specified.

4. The shaft D, with combined crank and inclines S S, for regulating degree of grip, in combination with girt B, bars E E, and reversible jaw M, as and for purposes specified.

5. The shaft D, gears L, shaft and handwheel G, in combination with shaft R, and arms V V, to be operated by fixed stops P, as and for purposes specified.

WVitness my hand this 8th July, 1884.

WM. HEGKERT.

WVitnesscs:

LAURA A. HECKERT, FRANCIS L. HEOKERT.

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