US332106A - Foot-guard for railway-frogs - Google Patents

Description

7 (No Model.)

F. B. PIATT.

FOOT GUARD FOR RAILWAY FROGS, &o.

No. 332,106. tented Dee. 8, 1885.

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UNITED STATES PAT NT FFICE.

FREDRICK B. PIATT, OF LANSING, MICHIGAN.

FOOT-GUARD FoR RAlLWAY-FROGS, 80C.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 332,106, dated December 8, 1885,

Application filed April 29, 1885. Serial No. 163,847.

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FREDRIOK B. PIATT, of Lansing, county of Ingham,State of Michigan,

have invented a new and useful Improvement drawings, which form a part of this specification.

This invention has for its object to provide a novel safety-guard for railway-frogs; and it consists in the construction and combination of devices hereinafter described and claimed.

I carry out my invention as follows: In the drawings which form a part of this specification, Figures 1 and 2 represent in perspective two separate guardplates embodying my invention, said plates beinginverted. Fig. 3 rep resents the same united in inverted position. Fig. 4 represents a plan view embodying my said invention. Fig. 5 represents the same in place with one rail removed. Fig. 6 is avertical cross-section.

A represents a frog; B, the ties. O represents myimproved safety-guard. This guard I prefer to construct of two metallic plates, 0 C said plates made narrower at one end than at the other. One of these plates is provided with spikes o o, and with elongated slots 0 0 near each end, and also with a slot, 0*, projecting inwardly from one of its edges. The other plate is provided with a spike, c and also with bolts 0 0 having nuts for engaging said bolts through the elongated orifice upon the corresponding plate, the spike c engaging in theinwardly-projecting slot 0 when the two plates are engaged together, as shown in Fig. 3. These plates may be made of malleable casting, or of wrought-iron, and the spikes rigidly connected. If cast, the spikes may be cast integral with the plates; or if made of wrought metal I prefer that they should be headed down or otherwise engaged with the plates.

The application of the device will be readily understood when engaged together, as shown in Fig. 3. The guard may be inverted and the nuts upon the bolts 0 c be loosened. The two plates may be adjusted laterally to form (No model.)

contact with the rails, when the nuts may be tightened to hold the plates in said lateral adjustment. The guard is then inverted into its normal position and the spikes driven into the ties to support the guard at the desired height relative to the rails. In order to lighten the weight of the plates and still make them sufficiently firm,the under one may be provided,if desired, with a rib, c

I would have it understood that I do not limit myself to the use of both tlie plates engaged together, as it may be found that a single plate will till the space between the adjacent rails of the frog, and hence no lateral adj ustment will be needed; but I have found by experience and observation that much inequality exists in the relative distances between the rails of the frogs,so that it has been found very desirable to have a foot-guard made so as to be laterally adj ustablein a ready and economical manner.

In the use of this device no dr'illing ofboltholes in the rails is required. Should the rails of the frog need to be renewed, the guard can be readily reapplied. The guard is at the same time not only efficient as a safety device, but is also very durable.

It is evident that instead of employing bolts 0 c rivets may be substituted without departing from the principle of myinvention,as they can be readily headed down, when the plates are properly adjusted,by inverting the plates and resting the head of the rivet upon the rail, or otherwise.

I have shown and described my invention as applied to railway-frogs; but it is evident that it is equally well adapted for railway guards, switches, and the like wherever two rails are located adjacent to each other; and I would have it expressly understood that I contemplate its use whenever it may be found applicable. I would also have it understood that I do not limit myself to any particular way of adjusting the guard laterally, as Icontemplate accomplishing said lateral adj ustment in any manner as coming within the scope of my invention.

I have shown the platesCG provided with longitudinal flanges c and 0 andwith bent ends 0 and C. Thelongitudinal flanges are adapted to engage under the outer edge of the head of the rail, to make the guard more efficient,

ICO

and the more effectually to prevent the foot being caught, as illustrated in Fig. 6. By bending the ends the foot is prevented from being caught underneath the guard, as illustrated in Fig. 5; but I do not limit myself to the construction of the plates with the longitudinal flanges and bent ends. These flanges, if employed, will serve to stiffen the plates, as well as afford additional safety.

What I claim is- 1. A metallic foot-guard for railway-frogs, &c., provided with fixed spikes, whereby it may be supported above the road-bed, substantially as described.

2. A metallic foot-guard for railway-frogs, &c., said guard laterally adjustable and supported horizontally above the road-bed, substantially as described.

3. A metallic foot-guard for railway-frogs, &c., consisting of two plates made laterally adjustable and supported above the road-bed, substantially as described.

4.' A metallic foot-guard for railway-frogs, &c., consisting of two plates made narrower at one end than at the other, said plates made laterally adjustable and provided with fixed spikes, whereby they may be supported horizontally above the road-bed, substantially as described.

5. A foot-guard for railway-frogs, 8tc., consisting of two metallic plates made narrower at one end than at the other, one of said plates provided with spikes, elongated slots near its ends, and a slot projecting inwardly from one of its edges, the other plate provided with a spike to engage in said inwardly-projecting slot, the said plates adjustably united by bolts or rivets passed through said elongated slots, substantially as described.

6. Ametallic foot-guard for railway-frogs, &c., supported horizontally above the roadbed, said guard consisting of two plates laterallyadjustable, each of said plates provided with a longitudinal flange, substantially as described.

7. A metallic foot-guard for railway-frogs, 850., said guard constructed of adjustable plates made narrower at one end than at the other and supported horizontally above-the road-bed, each of said plates bent at their broader ends, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof Isign this specification in the presence of two witnesses.

FREDRIOK B. PIATT.

Witnesses:

M. B. ODOGERTY, W. S. RABINEAU.

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