US364970A - Safety-switch - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.)

N. E. SPRINGSTEEN.

SAFETY SWITCH.

No. 364,970. Patented June 14, 1887.

NELSON E. SPRINGSTEEN,

OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

SAFETY-SWITCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 364,970, dated June 14, 1887.

(No model.)

To aZZ 2071 0122, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, NELsoN E. SPRING- s'rEEN, of Detroit, in the county of Vayne and State of Michigan, have invented new and useful Improvements in Safety-Switches; and I do hereby declare that the following isa full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in safety-switches.

It often occurs that a brakeman having set a switch for his train to pass upon a siding neglects to reset it to the main line, and a following train upon the main track, supposing the switch to be properly set, is thrown upon the siding and causes great damage and loss of life.

It is the object of this invention to provide an attachment to the switch that will automatically set the same for main line clear upon the approach of a train from either direction, and thus avoid the consequent danger and. loss caused by carelessness of brakemeu.

Figure 1 is a perspective View ofa railwayswitch provided with my improvement, showing the switch set to the main line. Fig. 2 is a plan of the same, showing switch set for the siding.

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, A represents the rails of the main track, 13 the switch-rails, and O the rails of the side track, which may be of any of the known constructions, designed to be operated by a switch-bar, D. To a suitable base, E, Ipivotally secure a plate, F, provided with the arms a b 0, respectively, the outer end of the switch-bar D being pivotally secured to the end of the arm I). At suitable distances from theswitch I properly journal transversely through the main rails A the rock-shafts G G, to each of which, outside of the main rail A, I secure a lever, H. Corresponding ends of the roclcshafts G G are provided with crankarms I I, the ends of which are connected by bars J to the arms a c of the plate F, as is clearly shown in the drawings. The shaft G is provided with an operating-lever, K, designed to be locked in any suitable lockingstandard, L, when the switch is in its normal position. The shaft G has a sliding movement in its bearings, so that in the operation of the device when the switch is set to the main line the shoe H may be compelled to rest upon the stop-block M. N is a spring which finds resistance between the adjacent railand the collar (1 upon the rock-shaft G, and tends to hold the roel -shaft G in its normal position.

In practice, suppose the switch to be set to the main line, as shown in Fig. 2, and it is de sired to have the approaching train take the siding O, the brakeman runs ahead of his train (or if there be a regular switchman he performs the duty) and releases the lever K from its lock and operates itin such a manner as to force or turn the switch, while at the same time he draws the lever toward him, sliding the rock-shaft G in its bearings, which draws the lever II upon such rock-shaft free from the side of the rail and from the lockblock M, upon which it rests, he holding the switch in this position until the train has passed upon the siding. It is the duty of the 'brakeman to now close the switch and lock the same, so that the main track will be open for travel.

In opening the switch for the siding, as de scribed, the free ends of the levers H H are elevated so that a portion of their upper surface projects above the main rail, as shown in Fig. 1. Now if the brakemauncglects to set the switch for the main track the spring N6X erts its force and compels the rock-shaft G to assume its original position, bringing the lever H close to the side of the rail, but projecting above the same, as does also the lever H upon the rock-shaft G. Now, a train approaching and desiring to continue on the main track, supposing the'switchman to have performed his duty, the train is not slackened, and no attention is paid to the switch, but the wheels of the forward truck, coming in contact and running upon the lever H or H, as the train may come from either direction, will depress the same and compel, by the connec tions described, the switch to assume its first position-that is, set for the main track, as shown in Fig. 2--while at the same time the lever K will be thrown down and locked, providing an automatic catch is provided for that purpose.

It will readily be seen that by the construc tion or application of a device of this character to a switch at no time can the switch be left set for the siding through the carelessness of a brakeman or switehman without the same being reset upon the approach of a train from either direction. It must necessarily follow that many accidents and destructionof property will be entirely avoided.

What I claim as my invention is- 1. The combination, with the switch-bar connected with the switch-rails and the pivoted plate F, having one arm connected to said bar, of the rock-shafts having crank arms connected to said plate, and the levers H H, secured one to each of said rock-shafts, and a spring acting on one of said rock-shafts to hold it in its normal position, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

2. The combination, with the switch-bar connected with the switch-rails, the pivoted 20 plate F, formed with the arms a b c, the arm rock-shafts, an operating-lever, K, on said 7 shaft, and the rods J, connecting said crankarms with the arms a c of said plate, substantially as described.

3. The combination, with the rails A, of the rock-shaft G, journaled transversely through said rails, the lever H and collar (1 on said rock-shaft upon opposite sides of one of said rails, lever K, and the flat spring interposed between said collar and rail, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

N. E. SPRINGSTEEN.

- NVitnesses:

H. S. SPRAGUE,

E. J. SoULLY.

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