US709076A - Convertible railway-car. - Google Patents

Description

No. 709,076. Patented Sept. l6, I902.

I s. BUCKNAMH CONVERTIBLE RAILWAY GAR.

A ucmon me Jan. 21. 1902.

(No Model.) '4 Sheets-Sheet I.

Wife/e668 W fnven/bbvf I lgmml enzmwm a g M W W 'No. 709,076. Patented-Sept. I6; I902.

' E. S. BUCKNAI VI.

CONVERTIBLE RAILWAY CAR.

(Application filed Jan. 21 1902.)

(No Model.)

- No. 709,076. Patented s' t. l6, |9o2.

E. s. BUGKNAM. CONVERTIBLE RAILWAY GAR.

(Application filed Jan. 21, 1902.) (No Model.) '4 Shgets-Sheet 3.

Wnwww fivnvaiw I lav w argenZiMmm No. 709,070. aunted se us, I902.

E. s. BUCKNAM..-:,-

CONVERTIBLE RAILWAY CAR.

(Application filed Jan. 21, 1002.

THE NORRIS warns cu. morauwou wnsumomu. n. c.

UNTTED STATES PATENT @FFICE.

EZRA SANGER BUCKNAll/I, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO JOHN A. BRILL, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

VCQNVERTIBLE RAILWAY-CAR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 709,076, dated september 16, 1902.

Application filed January 21,1902. Serial No. 90,595. (No model.)

T (bZZ 1071,9711, it may concern:

Be it known that LEZRA SANGER B UCKNAM, acitizen of the United States, and a resident of the cityand county of Philadelphia, State i of Pennsylvania, (whose post-office address is care of the J. G. Brill Company, in said city,) have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Convertible RailWay-Cars, of which the following is a specification.

My invention has relation to cars especially adapted for street-railway service, in which the sides are provided with devices for converting the same into either the open or closed form.

My invention has relation to that special class of convertible cars wherein movable sashes or panels are adapted to be moved up or down between the car posts or stanchions and when raised tobe stored in pockets or recesses formed beneath the roof; and the present invention resides in a construction wherein two or more separate panels or sashes or a sash and. a panel are employed, and wherein the roof spaces or pockets are provided with separate grooves for storing the sash and panel separated from each other within said roof-pockets, and wherein a sin gle groove is used in the post to guide the sash and panel in its np-and-down movement, and an automatically-operating switch 10- cated at or adjacent the point of junction of the pocket-grooves and post-groove for switching the sash and panel into the separate grooves in the pockets when being raised and when being lowered to direct the sash ant panel into the single post-groove.

The invention also resides in the novel construction of the base-panel.

My invention also resides in the novel construction and combination of parts hereinafter described, and finally pointed out in the claims. x

In the drawings forming part of this specification, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a portion of a carembodying my improvements in which the sash and panel in one side opening are shown lowered and in another raised.

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation on the line or m,

Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a like'view on the line 11 y, 0 Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a section on the line 0 d, Fig. Fig. 5 is an enlarged section on the line a b, Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is an enlarged side elevation of a portion of the upper part of the post at the switch. Fig. 7 is a detailed viewof the switch, partlyin section; and Fig. 8, a side elevation thereof and a part of the post. Fig. 9 isa front elevation, enlarged, of the upper sash and an edge View thereof. Fig. 10 is a front elevation of the base-panel andan edge view of the same; and Fig. llis an enlarged sectional view on the line of, Fig. 10.

As my invention does not relate to the specilic construction of the car to which I have applied my improvements, I desire to'have it noted that I do not limit myself to the specific form shown herein, as it will be apparent that my improvement-s may be applied to cars of various construction.

The car to which I have applied my improvements and which is herein illustrated comprises a roofl, the carlines 2, the lower ventilator-rail 3, (the car may be built up further,) the car-sill 4, flooring 5, and the posts or stanchions 6 of the desired curveand dimensions. The posts have a curved and inwardly extending and transversely enlarged section or extension 7, horn-shaped, over which is laid the lower decking or roof 1, extending from the lower ventilator-rail at the top to the letter-hoard 8 at the bottom, which latter runs longitudinally along the side of the car, and interiorly the head-lining 9, extending from the curtain-molding 10, located adjacent and above the lower edge of the lettenboard, (on the inside,) which latter defines the vertical limits of the side opening in the car, (it being longitudinally defined by the distance between the posts,) thehead-lining extending from the curtain-molding to the lower ventilator-rail 3. The horn or transverse enlargement 7 of the posts between the inner and outer roof-sections, together with the roof-sections-viz., the decking and head-lining-form the spaces 11, hereinafter termed roof spaces or pockets, which groove 12 is continued along the post and. along the born or enlargement 7 up to the lower ventilator-rail, (the height of the basepanel regulating this,) preferably following the curving of the head-lining, Fig. 3, al though this is not essential, whereas the inner and smaller groove l3'diverges from the larger groove as it enters the born or enlargement and extends upalong the face of the same substantially up to the carlines 2, where it is expanded to permit easy working of the sash, following substantially the contour of the roof or upper decking l to or substantially to the lower ventilator-rail 3. In other words, the two grooves, which are combined into one for a portion of the height of the post, depending upon the relative heights of the sash and panel, diverge into separate grooves at the point of entrance to and within the roof pockets or spaces, and at the point of divergence is located an automatically-op: erated switch, the construction and purpose of which will be hereinafter described.

So far as my improvements relate to the diverging grooves and the switch, any suitable or desired form of lower panel designed to give the appearance of permanency of construction of the car or otherwise may be employed; but I prefer for many reasonsthe form of panel illustrated herein. Y

The lower or base panel 14 comprises the upper and lower cross members 15 16, the upper one, 15, beingprovided with the handpulls 17, the lower one with the spring-locks 13, adapted to engage the posts in the usual manner. To the outer side of the cross pieces is secured at its top and bottom a sheet 19, which may be either of metal, fiber, or any other desired materiahpreferably of flexible metal, and on theinside is located another and preferably similar flexible sheet 20 (both of which are of self-supporting material) and which latter sheet is sec-u red at its upper edge to the top cross-piece 15, its lower edge freely entering a longitudinal groove 21, formed in the upper edge of the bottom cross-piece 16, so as to permit the said lower edge to move up and down therein. To stiffen both sheets transversely and for the further purpose of causing the sheets to more uniformly partake of the curvature of the post-groove, I employ the transverse slats 22 23, interposed between both of the sheets and secured to either one that is to say, all of the slats are not secured to both of the sheets, but may be secured to either, or some to the inner and some to the outer. This latter construction I prefer.

By reference to Fig. 10 it will be noted that the slats 22 are secured in pairs to the outer sheet 19, their free edges abutting against theinner sheet 20, and between each of the pairs of slats 22 is located a single slat 23,

fixed to the inner sheet 20, their free edges abutting against the outer sheet 19.

While I prefer that the inner sheet may be loosely connectedwith the lower cross-piece, as illustrated, it may be loosely connected with the upper cross-piece andfixed to'the lower cross-piece, or it may be loosely connected to both the upper and lower crosspieces, in which latter case the sheet should be inserted deep enough into the groove or grooves 21 to allow the sheet to curve with out withdrawing therefrom. In this Way a light, mechanical, and thoroughly flexible panel is produced which will give an air of permanency of construction to the lower portion of the car and be sufficiently self-supporting and flexibleto permit its manipulation between the posts and to stand ordinary uses. Above the panel when the car is closed is located the sash 24, termed so because the same'is provided with glass panels 25 2G. The sash is made of two sections, the upper section 27 smaller vertically than the lower section 28, each comprising the top and bottom cross-pieces '27 27 28 28 27 28, the

lower cross-piece 27 of the top section 27 and 1 the upper cross-piece 28 of the lower section being hinged together by theinteriorly-placed hinges 29, the upper cross-pieces being pro vided with a rib and a groove 30 to make a Weather-tight connection. The lower section also has hand-pulls 31. The sash-sections are not as wide transversely as is the lower panel, and each 'section of the sash is provided with outwardly-extending trunnions 32 33 34, the lower section 28 preferably having two, 33 34, on each side of the upper and lower ends because of its length, and the upper section with a single trunnion 32 on each side piece at the upper end. Immediately above the point of divergence of the two grooves 12 13, at the horn 35, formed on the post by such divergence, (or convergence,) is located the switch 36, the face of the post being inset or recessed, as at 37, Fig. 8, to receivetheswitch and give clearance for its operation. The switch is 00mstructed substantially as follows: It comprises an arm38, pivotally supported upon a pin 39 to a casing 40, the casing being inset into the horn 38, so as to permitits outer surface to lie flush with the surface of the horn. It is secured thereto by the screws 41, passing through the casing. The casing has a recess 42, into which extends aflat spring 43, secured to the casing at its upper end 44. The upper end of the arm 38 is provided with a lug or shoulder 45, against which the free The lower end of 7 end of the spring bears. the arm is provided with a tongue or offset 46, of less depth or thickness than the arm 38, so that its exposed surface will be flush with the base of the groove 12, while the exposed surface of the arm 38 is flush with the exposed surface of the post-horn 35. In other words, the arm 38 is stepped, The lower end of the arm is preferably rounded outwardly,

ICC

as at data terminates in a point 48, and

the tongue has a lug 49 and rounded point The tongue is inclined downwardly relative to the arm, and at the point where itdiverges. from the arm the angle is rounded off,

which wall maybe slightly recessed to allow ,the point 48 of the arm 38 to bear close up against the said outer wall, and the inner wall of the groove 12 is recessed at 53 to receive the point 50 of the tongue when projected, as hereinafter described, so that in either position the arm will be prevented from shaking,and the alinement of its stepped surface with referenceto the exposed surface of the base of the groove 12 and the horn will be preserved during the manipulation of the sash andpanel. The lower panel 14: is adapted to move bodilyin the groove 12, and while the side members of the sash also may extend into the groove 12 and be guided thereby I prefer that the sash have no bearing in. that groove. The trunnions 32 33 34 on the sashextend into the smaller groove 13 and support and control it du ring allitsmovements. When the car side is closed, as indicated in Fig. 3, the basewpanel 14 extends down tothesill 4 or to a plate 51, secured to the sill and having a shoulder to bear against the inner angle of the lower crossbar of the panel and has been conformed to the curve of the post The sash then rests with its lower cross-bar 28 upon the upper cross-bar 15 of the panel, the two parts being provided with a rib and a recess 56 to make a weather-tight non-rattling joint, the trunnions 3-1 extending from the lower cross-bar 28 into the groove 13, which groove is indi cated in Fig. 2, extending to a point sufficiently low to permit the sash to rest upon the panel without bringing the trunnions to bear on the end of the groove. The other trunnions also rest in the groove 13, maintaining the sash in its upright position, the upper cross-bar 27 hearing closely against the lower inside face of the letter-board 8, the uppermost trunnions 32 being past the switch.

To convert the car, the sash is raised, the

trunnions moving in the groove 13, which above the point of the switch is widened out at 58 59, preferably up to near its termination at the lower ventilator-rail 3, to prevent binding and also 'to permit the sash when stored in the pocket, as illustrated in Fig. 2, to be moved slightly outward, with the edge of its lower cross-bar 23 resting in a recess 60in the face of the letter-board, so as to firmly support it in its stored position. While raising the sash, each of the following trunnions strikes the under side of the tongue 16 of the arm 38, forcing it inwardly against the stress of the spring 43, so as to remove both the arm and tongue from the position across spring43, so that it and its tongue extend across to the groove 13 and its point 48 abutted against the outer wall of the groove 13, the surface of the tongue being flush with the base of the groove 12. On raising the panel 14 the edges of the top cross-bar 15 will strike against the rounded point 18 of the arm and be guided along and confined in the groove 12, so that it will safely pass the point of divergence ofthe grooves and the switch. A continuation of the upward movement of the panel causes it to conform to the curve of the groove, which in the roof-pocket is of sufficient length to receive the panel, Fig. 2. It is clear that to bring thepanel and sash. back into the position shown in Fig. 3 the reverse ofthe before-stated operation-that is, as to its orderwill occur, the switch automatically swerving the sash and panel off into their respective grooves and permitting the panel to continue in the groove 12. In addition to the sash and panel, the former of which. can be raised or lowered independently ofthe panel tosemiconvert the car or employed as an ordinary window, the post is provided with a groove 61, in which the cross-bar 62 of a curtain 63, contained in the curtain-molding '10, moves to close the side openings partly,

as when the sash in the position shown in Fig.3, or wholly when both sash and panel are raised, as in Fig. 2. it

Having described my invention, I claim-- 1. In a car, the combination with the posts and the roof-pockets, of a groove formed in the sides of the posts and diverging into separate grooves at or adjacent to the entrance of the pockets, and which separate grooves extend within said pockets, a plurality of elements for closing the car side movable in said groove, and a switch for diverting the separate side-closing elements into the diverging branches of said groove, substantially as described.

, 2. In a car, the combination with the posts having the groove 12 formed in their faces, the roof-pocket, the said groove entering said pocket, the groove 13 formed at the base of the groove 12 and diverging therefrom at and into the pockets, the flexible lower panel movable in the groove 12, the sash comprising two parts hinged togetherand having trunnions extending outwardly therefrom,the said trunnions movingin the groove 13, and a switch at the point of divergence of the groove 12 from the groove 13,for diverting the trunnions into the roof portion of said groove, and theflexible panel into the roof-section of the groove 12, substantially as described.

In a car, the combination with the roofpockets having grooves converging to a single groove on the post, the separable sash and panel movable in the grooves, a switch comprising an arm provided with a divergent tongue located at the convergence of said grooves, and a spring for resisting the movement of said arm, substantially as described.

4. In a car, the combination with the posts,

the roof-pockets, the grooves 12, 13 formed in the pockets, and a switch comprising an arm having a divergent tongue with a stepped face disposed in the path of the groove 12, and extending across the groove 13, and a spring operating against the other end of the arm to maintain it in the before-stated position, combined with a plurality of separable side-c1osing elements adapted to be diverted into the separate grooves by said switch.

5. The combination in a car-panel, of the upper and lower cross-bar, and a plurality of flexible sheets secured to said cross-bars, one of said sheets being loosely secured to one of said cross-bars.

6. A flexible car-panel comprising the upper and lower cross-bars, an exterior sheet of flexible self-supporting material extending between the cross-bars on one side, and a like sheet extending between the cross-bars on the other side, and secured to one cross-bar, and loosely attached to the other.

7. A flexible car-panel comprising the upper and lower cross-bars, the outer sheet secured to the top and bottom cross-bar, and a sheet secured to the upper cross-bar, and

loosely receiving the lower edge of the latter sheet.

8. In a car-panel, the combination with the two sheets, the interposed top and bottom cross-bars, one of the sheets being loosely connected with one of the cross-bars at the lower edge of said sheet.

9. In a car-panel, the combination with the parallel sheets, the interposed top and botbetween the sheets, some of said slats being secured to either of the said sheets, and disconnected from the other sheet.

11. In a car-panel,the combination with the parallel and juxtaposed sheets, of the interposed top and bottom cross-bars, and the interposed lateral slats secured to one of said sheets and free as to the opposing sheet.

12. In a car-panel,the combination with the parallel juxtaposed sheets, of the interposed top and bottom cross-bars, the slats arranged in pairs, each pair of slats being secured to one sheet and free as to the other, and another slat interposed between each pair and secured to the latter sheet and free as to the former sheet.

Signed at the city and county of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, this 16th dayot' January, 1902.

EZRA SANGER BUOKNAM.

Witnesses:

CHAS. G. HENSLEY, SOPHIE SEKosKY.

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