US489113A - Operating device for bridge-gates - Google Patents

Description

(No Model. 3 sheets-s eet 1.

B. ZAREMBA. OPERATING DBVIGE EOE BRIDGE GATES.

Patented Jan. 3, 1893.

a? 71 Ass es I M I J rfze ys.

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

ZAREMB'A. OPERATING DEVICE FOR BRIDGE GATES. No. 489,113. Patented Jan. 3, 1893.

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Iiward ZaremZa;

a Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

E. ZARBMBA. OPERATING DEVICE FOR 13 No. 489,113.

RIDGE GATES.

Patented Jan. 3, 1893.

Jae/4M Gates, of which the following is a specification.

llnrrEn STn'rEs PATENT OF IC EDWARD ZAREMBA, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

OPERATBNG DEVIOE FOR BRIDGE-GATES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 489,113, dated January 3, 1893.

Application filed March 5, 1892. Serial No. 423.835. (No model-l To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that; l, EDWARD ZAREMBA, a citizen of the United States, residing at. Chi cage, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Operating Devices for Bridge- This invention relates to means for operatiug the gates employed to shutoil' travel upon bridges when the latter are required to be opened. By preference I employin my invention two gates at each approach, one at each side of the roadway, and provide each with a separate motor whereby it may be opened and closed. These motors are electrically controlled by the bridge tender through. the medium of a switch and a current reverser located upon thednidge, and suitable electrical connection llhe latter. arepreferably formed in part of corresponding contact devices so located at the end of the bridge and at the abutments that; when the bridge is closed they will be in contact and complete the various circuits whereby the gate motors are energized.

The invention consists in the novel coinbinations of parts and devices,and in the novel construction of the several parts hereinafter setforth.

In the aceompanyingdrmvings l igurel isa plan of a bridge provided with my invention; Fig. 2 isa diagram of the electric circuits; Fig. 3 is an end elevation and Fig. 4 a plan of the switch device; Fig. 51's an extended surface view of the switch c linder; Fig. 6 is a plan of the current reverser; Fig. 7 is a vertical section of one of the gate posts; Fig. 8 is a section of same on line 88 of Fig. 7; Figs. 9 and 10 are sectional views showing the abutment connections for the electrical conductors, and Fig. ll is a section on the line 111l of Fig.9. Y

In the drawings A represents an ordinary turn bridge having a roadway a, which for the sake of clearness in distinguishing the right and left sides of the roadway is shown as provided with two railway track lines a a B and C- are the abutmcntsof the approaches at either side, the former being guarded by gates BR and B L, and the latter by gates O R and C L. The gates designated in part by the letter R are in both instances placed over the right. hand side of the road;

way and those marked with L over thc let't hand side. The gates have motors D, D l), and 1), one for each gate, which are preferably electric motors of any approved construe tion, and each motor is adapted to operate a worm shaft (Z meshing with the gear (1" upon shaft (1 carrying the worm (l meshing with the gear d upon the journal (l carrying the arms d" which support; the gate and whichare oscillated upon said journal in the usual man; ner. The motor and gearing may be inclosed in asuit-ablehox or post d which may also support the journal of the gate arms. I

The gates are intended to be operated in the following order: Supposing the bridge about to be opened, the bridge tender first; lowers one'of the right hand gates and then the other. When all teams have passed oll? the bridge and everything is clear, the two left hand gates are closed simultaneously, and these gates are preferably so connected so that. a single move of the switch willjenergize the motors of both. The roadway is new com,- pletely protector], and the bridge opened. \Vhilc the bridge is open, the switch and re verser are properly adjusted so that as soon as the electricalconnections between the switch and the gate motors are restored by the closing movementof the bridge, such movement causing contactbet ween the contact points upon the bridge ends and those at the abutments, the motors are all set in operation, in a re verse direction and made to lift all the gates together. The electricalconstruction bywhich these results are obtained is substantially the following: Upon the bridge I providea switch device and current rcverser, the former consisting of a rotatable cylinder E of nonconducting material and armed with studs or projections adapted to operate the keys hereinafter mentioned,the studs being so located as to enable the bridge tender by turningthe cylinder to bring the proper keys into action to secure movement in the order described by the gates. 'lhis cyliuderis mounted between two rows of spring keys l l and l and G G G the first series of keys being located in and controlling the armature circuits of the motors, and the other series being similarly located and serving the same purpose With reference to the field coil circuits. These keys are each adapted to be depressed by the pro ections of the switch cylinder, so as to make an electrical junction with the adjacent contact plates H or J, there being one such plate for each row of keys. This part of my invention is more fully described in a subsequent part of this specification.

The construction of reverser which Iprefer consists of two pairs of con-ducting plates, each in the form of an arc of a circle, and one pair K K being arcs of a smaller circle than the other pair LL and placed within the latter as shown. Supported on a center within these circles is a swinging lever M, carrying two pairs of brushes m nand m n', each pair adapted to establish an electrical connection between one of the outer plates and one of the inner plates at a point diametrically opposite the connection made by the other pair of brushes between the other parts of the reverser. To reverse the current the brush lever is turned on its center so as to bring the outer brushes m and m each in contact with the other one of the outer plates K or K. In otherwords, supposing the position of the lever shown at Fig. 6 in the full lines to be the position occupied by it when the gates are to be opened, in order to reverse the current preparatory to closing the gates the lever is moved to the position shown by broken lines in the same figure. The plate K of the reverser is connected to the positive pole of a battery N and plate K to the negative pole thereof, as shown. cally connected to the contact plate ll of the switch. A second battery (which however is not necessariiy present it the resistance of the armature and the field coil circuits is properly balanceih) is connected at its positive pole to the contact plate J of the switch.

The keys of the switch areclcctricaliy connected as shown by the diagram given at Fig. 2, as follows: Key F to one terminal of armature circuit of motor I) of gate l3 Key F to one terminal of armature circuit of motor D of gate 0 It. Key Win one terminal ot' armature circuit oi motor I) of gate B L. Key F to one terminal of armature circuit of motor I)" of gate 0 L. Key G to one terminal of iicld circuit; of motor I) of gate 1 It. Key (1' to one terminal of. licld circuit of motor I)' of gate (1 it. Key (l to one terminal of ficld circuit of motor 1) of gate L. Key (l to onc'tcrminal of field circuit of motor .l) ot' gate 0' L. This includes one terminal of each armature and of each field circuit: The other terminals of the armature circuits are all connected and lead to plate L of the 'roverscr, and the other terminals of tho field circuits are all connocted and lead to the negative pole of battery O.

The surface of the swilchcylindcr is shown in cxtcnso at Fig. 5, and in order that the disposition ot" the studs therein may be underfour sets for the field circuits.

The plate L is electri stood the following explanation wili'be helpful: The studs are adapted to depress the spring keys in a certain order, to the end that the electrical connections may be madeto the gates in the order in which they are to be closed, and since gate B R is closed at one point of time,gate O Rat alater period, gates B L and O L at a still later or third period, and all four gates are raised at a fourth or last period, making fourperiods of operation,

it follows that there must be provided four sets of studs for the armature circuits and The spring keys are arranged so that they occupy different planes transverse of the cylinder, and hence the studs 'for' operating the armature keys are arranged in the circumferential lines w, and those for operating the field keys are arranged along similar lines 00. V

In addition to the four periods of operation there is also one of rest, viz: when the gates are not in use, and hence the surface of the switch cylinder is divided into ten equal lougitudinal divisions, five for the armature circuits indicated by lines '3 and five for the field circuits indicated by the lines 2. The various studs for the armature circuits are therefore located as follows: the one operating ke'y F at 1, for key F at 2, for key 1? at 3, and for allsaid keys and employed in opening the gates'at 4, 5 and 6. The studs for the field circuits are located, for key G at 7, for key G at 8, for key G at 9, and for all said keys when opening the gates at l0, l1 and 12. \Vhen' the apparatus is at rest, either open or closed, the vacant longitudinal lines are opposite the keys and'ali circuits are broken.

In order to obviate all necessity for carrying the electrical connections between the switch andthe motors iind'e'r water, those connections are all preferably mado'with make and break contacts located upon the bridge ends and thc abutments, so that such' connections may be separated each time the bridge is opened and reunited each time the bridge is closed. The construct n which I have devised and prefer for these connections is the following: A movable block P is provided with ways 1) upon the under side of each end of the bridge and with one or more springs Q drawing the block outward or toward the abutment. This block carries six spindles S, cach provided with bcaringssand with a spring R confined thereon between one of the bearings and the shoulder 1- of the spindle, the spring exerting its pressure toward the abutment. Each spindle has alsoa contact plate '1 upon its outer end, the same being in electrical connection with the switch. Upon each abutment is a stationary board U in which are supported the metallic platesV, suitably connected to the motors, and one-for each spindle, and to the top of this board is attached a guide plate U projecting toward the bridge and having a center recess u. Against. the outer edge of this recess the roller 1,carricd by block l,is held when thebridgo is closed, or many-easy the tension. of spring the roller lying within the recess when the bridge is fully closed, and allowing the block to move toward the abutment and bring about active contact between the spindles and the plates V, and thus completing the various circuits. When the bridge moves the guide plate forces theblock P back and separates the contacts T and V so that the circuits are to all broken, and remain thus until the bridge closes, This construction prevents any fric tion between the contacts during the move ments of the bridge. The springs upon the spindles automatically adjust the latter and maintain them in operative position at proper times. Fig. 9 shows the position of the block P and its spindles when the bridge is closed,

and Fig. 10 shows the electrical connections severed, the bridgebeing partly open.

The operation of-my device is substantially as f0llows:-Supposi g the reversing lever to be in the position given in full lines at Fig.

6, the current from battery N will. flow from the positive pole of that battery to plate K of the reverser, thence through the brush to plate L, thence to the switch and from there f to the motors as the latter are connected to y the switch by the revolution of the cylinders From the motors the current returns through the electrical connection to the plate L of the reverser, thence through the brush and plate K back tothe battery. It the re verser lever be moved to the position given in dotted lines, then the ciirrent will ii'ow'froirr 135 the positive pole of the batteryto plate K,

brush, plate L,1not0rs,switch,platcL',brush,

plate K and back to battery, thus giving a a reverse current. When the reverse'r lever is held vertically the circuit is broken by reason 0 of the lack ot contact by the outer brushes with plates L and L and the .motors are stationary. litherthe current through the armature or field coils could be made reversible.

I use a reversible currcntin the armatures.

.45 It now the bridge tender turns the cylinder 15' of the switch, so that stud 1 will depress key F and stud 7 depress key G, this causes a current-to flow from the positive pole of battery O to piate J through key G and wire to 5o the field coil of motor I), and back through the wire to the negative pole of said battery. If the reversing lever stands toward the right, a current flows from battery N through the reverser, plate II, key F and thence by wire connectionsthroughthe armaturcof said motorl) and back to plate Landthcnceinto the battery. If the lever be moved to the left the current is reversed. In this manner the motor 1) works in either direction independen tlyof the others. if the bridge tender now gives the switch cylinder a onefifth revolution, the studs 2 and 8 will depress keys F and G respectively,and the current will flow from battery 0 through key G and the wire connections to the field coil of motor D and thence back to the negative pole of said battery. Also a current from battery N will pass through the rc'vcrser, plate Ii, key It" to the armature of said motor and back from the armatn re to the rcverser and battery or the reverse of this, according to the position of the reversing lever. With another one-fifth revolution of the cylinder E, the keys F and G2 are depressed, giving a current from battery 0 through G2 to the field coils of motors D and D and from thence back to the negative pole of the battery. Also a current passes from battery N through the reverscr, plate ll, key F to the armatures of both said motors and back therefrom to the reverser and battery, or the reverse of this according to the position of the reversing lever. With the next onefifth revolution of the switch cylinder, the

studs 4, 5 aud 6 depress all the armature keys and the studs 10, 11 and 12 depress all the field keys and thus establish circuits including all the motors and energizing them to open the gates. The speed of the motors should be reduced bya suitable spur or worm gearing to about three revolutions per minute and a friction clutch upon the shaft of the gate arm will take care of any extra mot on of the'motors. By disconnecting the gearing the gates can be operated by hand.

It is obvious that many features of my invcntion are capable of use at railwaycrossiugs and other places where moving br dges are not employed, and hence I do not wish to be limited in my claims to a turn bridge except where such bridge is specifically made an-elemcntet-the subject matter g fi I claim:-

1. The combination with a turn bridge and its approaches, of a gate or gates guarding each approach, motors for, operating sald gates, a switch upon the bridge for controlling the electric currents whereby the motors are set in operation, an electric generator and electrical connections between the switch and motors, substantially as specified.

2. The combination with a turn bridge and its approaches, of a gatcor gates for guarding each approach, motors'for operating said gates, a switch and current reverser upon the bridge for controlling the electric currents whereby the motors are set in operation an electric generator and electrical connections between the switch and motors,substantialiy as specified.

, .3. The combination with a-turn bridge and its approaches, of a gate or gates guarding each approach, motors foroperating said gates, a switch upon the bridge for control- I ling the electric currents whereby the motors are set in operation, an electric generator, and electrical connections adapted to make and break the circuits between the switch. and motors, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination with a turn bridge and its approaches, of a gate or gates guarding each approach, motors for operating said gates, a switch and current rcverser upon the bridge for controlling the electric currents whereby the motors are set in operation, an

scans 5. The con'ibina-tion with the turn bridge and its gate motors, of the switch upon the bridge consisting of the'cylinderhaving' studs, the sprlng keys and the contact plates, the

I keys and plates being electrically connected in the circuits for setting the motors in operation, substantially as set forth.

6. The combination with a gate motor and its armature and field circuits, of a switch consisting 0tv a rotatable cylinder having a pair of studs upon its surface, a pair of keys located one in the armature circuit and one in the field circuit, 'and each adaptedto be engaged by one of said studs, and contact.

plates located one in each of said circuits and 1n proximity to said keys so as to act therewith inncompleting. the respective circuits,

substantially as specified.

7. The combinatioi. with a gate motor and its armature and field circuits, of a switch consisting of a rotatable cylinder having a pair of studs upon its surface, a pair of keys located one in the armature circuit and one in the field circuit and each adapted to be en-.

gaged by one of said studs, and contact plates located one in each of said circuits and in proximity to said keys so as to act therewith in completing the respective circuits, said studs and keys being relatively arranged so .as to insure the simultaneous completion of both circuits, substantially as specified.

8. The combination with a plurality of gate motors and their respective armature and field circuits, of a switch consisting of a retataole cylinder having upon its surface a separate pair of studs for each motor, a sepa rate pair of keys for each motor, and contact plates also located in said circuits and acting with the keys to complete the same, one of each pair of said keys beinglocated in the armaturecircuit, and the other in the field circuit of the motor, and each pair thereof being also adapted to be simultaneously depressed by the studs upon thecylindercorresponding to'the same motor, substantially as specified.

9. The combinatlon'with the turn bridge, the gates and themotors for the gates, of electrical devices under the control of the bridge tender for setting-saidmotors in operation, the circuit connections between the bridge and the motors having make andbreak contacts, substantially as set forthw 10. The combination ofthe movable block P carryiugcontact plates upon; the bridge, devices for moving 's'aid block and. the abut ment contact plates, with the electrical connections between. the bridge and the motors, substantially as set forth. I v i 11. The combination with the bridge and the several gates guarding the approaches, of a separate motorffor each gate, a switch upon the bridge for controlling the electric currents whereby the several motors are set in operation, an electric generator and electric connections between the switch and motors, substantially as specified. 12. The combination with the bridge and the several gates guarding the approaches, of a separate motor for each gate, a switch and reverser upon the bridge for controlling the electric currents whereby the several motors are set in operation, an electric geueratorand electric connections between the switch and motors, substantially as specified.

13. The bridge, the gates B R and 'B L guarding one approach, gates G R and C L guarding the other approach, a motor for each of said gates, circuits controlling said motors, and-a switch on the bridge whereby the motors of the right hand gates may be first energized and thoseof the lefthand gates be sub sequently energized, substantially as specified.

EDlVARD ZAREMBA. ,VVitnesses: II. M. MUNDAY, EDMUND ADCOCK.

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