US643155A - Extension car-step. - Google Patents

Description

Patented Feb. I3, I900.

B. E. PINES.

EXTENSION CAR STEP.

(Application filed Nov. 27, 1899.

(No Model.)

By 7 Z 8 'Jll'forge ys,

J7R773Z7 BURKE E. PINES, OF NEVPORT, PENNSYLVANIA.

EXTENSION CAR-STEP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 643,155, dated February 13, 1900.

Application filed November 27, 1899. Serial No. '73 8,417. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BURKE E. PINES, a citizen of the United States, residingat Newport, in the county of Perry and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Extension Car-Step,0f which thefollowing is a specification.

The invention relates to improvements in car-steps.

One object of the present invention is to improve the construction of extension car-steps and to provide a simple and comparatively inexpensive one capable of being readily applied to passenger-coaches and adapted to be readily operated to arrange a step close to the ground or platform and to elevate the same, so that it will be out of the way when the car is in motion.

A further object of the invention is to enable the gearing to operate as the means for retaining the extension-step in its folded or closed position.

The invention consists in the construction and novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and pointed out in the claims hereto appended.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective View of an extension car-step constructed in accordance with this invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the same. Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view on line 3 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4. is a detail view illustrating the construction of the stops for limiting the downward movement of the sliding frame which carries the extension-step.

Like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in all the figures of the drawings.

1 designates an inclined frame supporting the permanent steps 2 of a car and provided at opposite sides with longitudinal ways 2, consisting of grooved bars arranged at the inner or lower face of the inclined frame and receiving side bars 3 of a sliding frame 4, which carries an extension-step 5. The extension-step 5, which is secured to angularlydisposed arms or extensions 6 of the side bars 3 of the sliding frame,is adapted when the sliding frame is elevated, as illustrated in Fig. 2 of the accompanying drawings, to be arranged compactly beneath the lowermost step 2, and

it is capable of being supported at a point below the permanent step 1, as illustrated in Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings, in order to be within easy reach of the ground or a platform and to obviate the necessity of providing stools or similar devices for this purpose. The permanent steps 2 may be mounted in any suitable manner; but in the accompanying drawings they are shown secured to bracket-bars 7, having angular bends to form the riser and horizontal portions.

TheIsliding frame, which is composed of the side bars 3 and transverse connecting-bars 8, has its downward movement limited by stops 9, consisting of shoulders formed by enlarg ing the upper portions of the grooves of the bars of the inclined frame, and the side bars 3 of the sliding framehave upper enlarged portions 1 O,forming shoulders toabut against the shoulders of the Ways, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 4 of the accompanying drawin gs. By this construction the extension-step is firmly supported in its operative position, and there is no liability of its accidentally dropping whensubjecte'd to the weight of a person.

The sliding frame carries a longitudinal rack-bar 11, provided at its outer face with teeth which mesh with a gear 12, preferably sector-shaped and provided at its outer edge with a weight 13, located beyond the shaft 14. and adapted to maintain the extension-step in an elevated position. The sector-shaped gear is secured to the shaft by any suitable means, such as a clamping-screw 14 or the like, and the shaft is journaled in suitable bearings 15 of brackets 16, mounted on the bars which form the ways of the inclined frame. The brackets are substantially V- shaped, and the transverse shaft 14 is provided at its outer end with an arm 17, connected by a link 18 with the lower end of .an operating-lever 19. The arm 17 is provided at its inner end with a head or enlargement having, an opening to receive the shaft and secured to the same by a clamping-screw 20. The lever is fulcrumed on the frame, and by oscillating its upper portion the sliding frame is reciprocated to raise and lower the extension-step It will be seen that the extension-step is simple and comparatively inexpensive in con struction and adapted tobe readily applied to cars and that it is capable of ready operation to extend it for use and to fold it out of the way. It will also be apparent that the gearing maintains the extension-step in an elevated or folded position and that a secure structure is provided for supporting the extension-step in its operative position.

That is claimed is 1. In a device of the class described, the

combination of a supporting-frame having permanent steps and provided at opposite sides with ways located at its rear face, a sliding frame mounted in the said ways, an extension-step carried by the sliding frame, a rack-bar mounted on the sliding frame and having its teeth disposed rearward or outward, brackets mounted on the main frame and projecting rearward beyond the rack, a shaft journaled on the brackets, a Weighted gear-Wheel located in rear of the rack and meshing with the same and arranged to support the sliding frame in an elevated position, and means for operating the shaft, substantially as described.

2. In a device of the class described comprising a supporting-frame having permanent steps and provided at opposite sides with ways located at its rear face, a sliding frame composed of side bars and transverse connectingbars, the side bars being arranged in the said ways, a rack-bar mounted on the connecting-bars, brackets mounted on the supporting-frame, a shaft journaled in bearings of the brackets, a weighted gear mounted on the shaft, meshing with the rack-bar and arranged to support the sliding frame in an elevated position, an extension-step carried by the sliding frame, and a lever connected with and operating the shaft, substantially as described.

3. In a device of the class described comprising a supporting-frame having permanent steps and provided at opposite sides with ways located at its rear face, a sliding frame composed of side bars and transverse conmeeting-bars, the side bars being arranged in the said ways, a rack-bar mounted on the connecting-bars, brackets mounted on the sup-- porting-frame, a shaft journaled in bearings of the brackets, a weighted gear mounted on the shaft, meshing with the rack-bar and arranged to support the sliding frame in an elevated position, an extension-step carried by the sliding frame, an arm secured to the shaft, a lever, and a link connecting the arm and the lever, substantially as described.

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

BURKE E. PINES.

Witnesses:

WM. WERTI, O. L. BARIS.

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