US527099A - Charles richard alsop - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.)

0. R. ALSOP.

ELECTRIC TRAGK SIGNAL.

Patented Oct. 9, 1894..

Wilgsscs m: anna s PETERS cu. mom-mun" WASHINGTON, n, c.

I UN TED-STATES-PATENT OFFICE.

- CHARLES RICHARD ALSOP; OF MIDDLETOWN, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO LUCY C. ALSOP, OF SAME PLACE.

ELECTRIC TRACK-SIGNAL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 527,099, dated October 9, 1 894.

Application filed November 27, 1893. Serial No. 492,128. (No model.)

To all whom it" may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES RICHARD AL- SOP, a citizen of the United States, residing at Middletown, in the county of Middlesex and State of Connecticut, have invented a new and usefulElectric Track-Signal, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to electric track sig nals; and it has for its object to provide an improved signal device of this character em.- ployed in connection with railway tracks, and which are adapted to be operated by the wheel of a car so as to complete a circuit with a signal bell or other electrically controlled signaling apparatus.

To this end the main and primary object of the present invention is to simplify the construction of track signals for railways and render the same much more efficient and positive in operation.

With these and other objects in view which will readily appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, illustrated and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of an electric track signal set up for use. Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view thereof on the line 50-00 of Fig. 1.

Referring to the accompanying drawings: A represents one of the rails of a track, adjacent to which rail is arranged the usual guard rail B, and at this point of the track my improved signaling device or apparatus is intended to be used in order to give the proper signal for the passing train. Suitably mounted on the track ties at one side of the rail A, is a chair-box 0, cast in a suitable shape to accommodate the several parts of the apparatus contained therein, and is adapted to be inclosed by a removable cap or cover D, which covers the several parts of the apparatus and not only protects the same from snow and ice, but also prevents the apparatus from being tampered with. Pivotally mounted within the chair-box C, at one end on the vertical pivot" E, is the horizontal contact lever F. The contact lever F, extends a distance within the chair-box beyond the pivot E,,at one end thereof, and is provided at its other moving end or extremity with the right. angularly disposed arm G, having the outer exposed contact edge H.' The contact edge H, of the lever arm, projects outside of the cover of the box in reasonably close proximity to one side of the rail A, so as to leave a space there-between and such rail, less thanthe width of a car wheel flange, which is adapted topass between the rail and said contact edge so as to move the free end of the contact lever inward within the chair-box, to close the signal circuit in'a manner to be presently described, and said contact edgeH, is rounded and curved from end to end thereof in order to properly guide the wheel flange at one side thereof, and reduce the frictional contact as much as possible.

The contact lever is normally held in an inactive position with its contact edge dis- 7oposed close to the track rail, as described, by means of the strong lever spring I, seated in the spring socket J, formed at one side of the chair box and engaging at its outer end the headed follower stud K, which contacts with one side of the contact lever F, at a point intermediate of its ends, in order to impart the tension of the spring to suchlever and prevent it from being moved except by the car wheel flange passing at one side thereof. 59 The movable spring-actuated contact lever is guided and adjusted in its movement by the reduced guide stem L, which stem is projected from one extremity of the contact arm G, and is adapted to work through the widened guide lug M, cast at one end of the chair-box, and the inner extremity of said guide stem is threaded to receive the check nuts N, which hold the contact edge of the contact lever out of contact with the track 9:)

.rails, and also provide means for adjusting the distance between these two parts in setting up the apparatus. The moving end of the contact lever F, in-

side of the chair-box C, is provided with an 5 ofi-standing contact lug'O, which is adapted to be moved between the separated contact springs P. The separated contact springs P,

are provided with out-turned free ends 10, which serve to guide the lug O, there-between, 10c

and the other ends of said springs are separately fastened to an insulator block Q, se-

cured inside of the chair-box C. To the fas= tenedends of each of the springs P, are connected the circuit wires 1-'2 which have in the signalcircuit 12, which causes the proper signal to be given.

While I have described and prefer the circuit arrangement just described,-it will be obvious that only one of the contact springs P, might be employed and connected with one of the circuit wires while the other circuit wire may be connected to the rail A, so that the flange of the car wheel together with the lug 0, will complete the circuit through the rail and the contact lever described, and I will also have it understood that other changes in the form, proportion and the minordetails of construction may be resorted to without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed, and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is

1. In an electric track signal, the combination of suitably arranged separated contact 'springs, a signal circuit having the wires thereof connected separately to said springs, and a horizontal spring actuated contact lever mounted to play on avertical pivot adjacent to one side of a track rail and normally out of contact therewith to leave a space of a width less than a car wheel flange which is adapted to move said contact lever laterally between said contact springs, substantially as set forth.

2. In a track signal, an inclosed chair-box arranged adjacent to a track rail, a stationary contact, included in a signal circuit, mounted within said chair-box, a horizontal spring actuated contact lever arranged to play on a vertical pivot within said chair box andhaving acontactlug adapted to be moved against said stationary contact to close the signal circuit, and adjusting devices for adjusting the contact edge of said lever in close proximity to one side of the track rail to leave a narrow space for the flange of a car wheel to pass through substantially as set forth.

3. In an electric track signal, an inolosed chair-box arranged adjacent to a track rail, separated contact springs mounted inside of said chair box and having outturned free ends, a normally open signal circuit having the Wires thereof connected separately to said springs, a horizontal spring actuated contact lever mounted to play on a vertical pivot withinsaid boxand having a curved rounded contact edge disposed in close proximity to the track rail to leave a space narrower in width than the flange of a car wheel which passes'th rough such space,and an 01f standing contactlug adapted to be forced by the flange of the car wheel between the outturned ends of said contact springs, substantially as set forth.

4. In an electric track signal, an inclosed chair-box having a spring socket at one side and a widened guide lug at one end, a contact lever pivotally mounted at one end within said chair-box and provided at its other free ends with an arm having a curved rounded contact edge disposed in close proximity to a track rail, and a reduced guide stem adapted to move in said widened guide lug, check nuts adjustably mounted on the free end of said guide stem, separated contacts adapted to receive there-between one end of said contact lever, and a normally open signal circuit having the wires thereof connected separately to said separated contacts, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES RICHARD ALSOP.

\Vitnesses:

GEo. A. CoLEs, EUGENE J. CLARK.

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