US730648A

US730648A - Station-indicator.

Info

Publication number: US730648A
Application number: US9909002A
Authority: US
Inventors: John Joseph Heberle
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1902-03-20
Filing date: 1902-03-20
Publication date: 1903-06-09
Anticipated expiration: 1920-06-09

Description

JiArBN'rm JUNE 9, 1903.

J. J. HBBERLE. STATION INDICATOR.

APPLIOATION FILED MAB. zo, 1902.

' s sHBBTs-sHEBT/l.

N0 MODEL.

PATENTYED JUNE 9, 1903.

J. J. HEBBRLE. STATION INDICATOR.

APPLIoATIoN FILED MAB. 2o, 1902.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2 N0 MODEL.

W/TNESSES EYS wc Nonms PETERS cn. Pncfmufno.. wAsmnsmN. D. c.

No. 730,648. PATBNTBD JUNE 9. I1903. J. J. HEBERLB. STATION INDICATOR.

APPLICATION FILED MAB.. 20, 1902 v N0 MODEL. 5 SHEETS-SHEET 3 /N VEN ron No. 730,648. PATENTED JUNE 9, 1903. J. J. HBBBRLB.

STATION INDICATOR.

APPLIOATION FILED MAB.. 20, 1902.

NO MODEL.

rm: Nonnxs versus co. mom-uwe.A wAwmoTcN, o. C.

PATENTED JUNE 9, 1903..

J. J. HBBERLE. STATION INDICATOR.

APPLIoATIoN HLEDMAB. zo, 1902.

5 SHEETS-SHEBT 5- N0 MODEL.

W/TNESSES I the gearingincluded in said device register JOHN JOSEPHA IIEBERLE,

Iatented june v9, 190g'.

PATENT OFFICE.

OF OLEAN, NEW YORK.

STATION-INDICATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 730,648, dated June 9, 1903. Application filed March 2.0, 1902. Serial No. 99,090. (No model.)

To all whom, t nur/y concern: v

Be it known that I, JOHN JosEPH I-IEBERLE, a citizen-.of the United States, and a resident of Olean, in the county of Oattaraugus and State of .New York, have invented a new and Improved Station-Indicator, of which the following is a full, clear, Aand exact description.

My invention relates to a station or street indicator or station-register, whereby to display in a conveyance in plain view of all passengers the name of the next street or station, as the case maybe, and which may be used in railway-stations to announce the leaving times of trains for stations of a fixed route.

The p-urpose of the invention is to provide a simple, durable, and economic device, which is automatic in its action, except in the initial application of power, which is usually manually performed, and if the device is upon a street or other car such power may be communicated from either end of said car.

A f urtherpurpose of the invention is to provide a combined measuring and controlling roller for the curtain so arranged that said roller will determine the area of the curtain to be displayed and will insure a corresponding area of previously-unexposed curtain being carried forward or otherwise as desired at each operation of the device, which roller also automatically stops the working of the device when the curtain has been shifted sufficiently to display as desired and arranged for.

Another purpose of the invention is to provide a simple reversing device whereby the mechanism is enabled to carry the curtain from or to either of the supply reels or rollers, and thereby the register -or indicator Vis made accurate and equally serviceable travcling in either direction from any desired point on a fixed route, accordingly displaying in regular or reverse order at eachoperation of the device the name of the next street or station or other information as may be desired, or in case of a loop, where repetition only is necessary, it is equally serviceable in connection with a novel arrangement of the information on the curtain, and further to provide cushions for the reversing device, enabling the device to be shifted and locked in its shifted position, whether the teeth of roller and adjacent guide-rollers; ldetail view of one end of the measuring and or not, Without danger to the teeth, and so that with the first application of power regularly applied to the mechanism the teeth will automatically and properly mesh.

Another purpose of the invention is to provide an air-cushion for the power mechanism, which will act to prevent undue jar to the mechanism when the said power mechanism is suddenly and automatically checked, which happens at ,the completion of each shifting movement of the curtain.

A further purpose of the invention consists in providing a practically automatic machine and one that is substantially indestructible and which is necessarily accurate under all conditions; one that is practically unlimited a's to capacity, requiring but a single original unit of power to operate it, which is economic as to thev spaceit occupies, and in which the space occupied by the mechanical parts is inconsiderable and the remain-f der of the space is entirely dependent on the results sought to be obtained.

The invention consists in the novel construction and combination of the several parts, as will be hereinafter fully set forth, and pointed out in the claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure l is a front elevation of the device. Fig..2 is a vertical section taken practically on the .line 2 2 of Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a similar section takensubstantially on the line 3 3 of Fig. l. Fig. 4 is a vertical longitudinal section through the front portion of the case, showing the mechanism in front elevation. Fig. 5 is a sectional side elevation of the vspring-drum and the governor therefor. Fig, '6 is a plan view of the locking-plate for the reversing-lever. Fig. 7 is a transverse section through the lower portion of vthe casing and the combined measuring and controlling Fig. Sis a guide- IOO vided with a panel 11, plain or decorative, in whichv the display-opening 12 is produced of desired dimensions. The case is usually of greater length than height, and the displayopening l2 is longitudinally produced. The case is given its frontinclination in order that the display-matter shall be at right angles to the line of vision when the device is hung above an observer.

Front and back openings 13 are produced in the casing and a slot 14 is made in the bottom near the front. At the outer face of the bottom of the casing the slot 14 is partially covered by a keeper or guide-plate 15 for a reversing-lever, to be hereinafter described. 'lhis'plate has a longitudinal slot 16 therein and recesses 17 and 1S in-the same side edge of the slot, one at each end of the plate, as is shown in Fig. 6.

Brackets B and B', made as light as possible consistent with strength, are vertically secured to the back of the case near its ends,

- and these brackets are usually given the sh ape shown in'Figs. 2 and 3, wherein the upper portions of the brackets consist of two members 19 at angles to each other, which members connect in the form of a V with a straight body 20, andk said body connects with a footsection' 21.

Two winding-

rollers

22 and 23 are located in parallelism at the upper portion of the device, provided with a flanged head 24 at each I end, and the trunnions 25 of the windingrollers are mounted to turn freely in the upper ends of the bracket members 19. The right-hand trunnion of the-windingrollers extends through and beyond the right-hand bracket B', and between this bracket and the opposing flanged heads 24 of the windingrollers 22 and 23 a disk or hub 26 is either secured to the trunnions of the rollers or to their iiange-heads, the said hubs or disks being adapted to receive brake-shoes 27, engagfrom a spring-drum C through the medium of a reversing-lever and gearing to be hereinafter described. The drum, which is shown in detail in Fig. 5, consists of a peripheral member 30 and side members 3l, which latter extend beyond the peripheral member to form ,Y guides for two operating-straps, ropes, or

chains

32 and 33, which are secured. at their inner ends to the periphery of the drum and are wound thereon in opposite directions and are passed out through the openings 13 in the front and back of the case to any desired point, enabling the drum to be operated from desired a single operating-strap or its equivalent only need be employed.

The iiange portions of the drum are shown provided with transversely-alining pocketrecesses 34, which when the drum is being wound up by drawing on the

strap

32 or 33 are carried upward and receive the lower ends 35 of a triprod 3G, connectedwith the mechanism of a gong 37 or like alarm device, to call attention to the matter about to be displayed; but I desire it to be understood that any desired means may be employed to produce such a result.

At the edge of the inner ,side member of the drum C' a projection 38 is formed, from which a pin 39 extendsin direction of the bracket B', as is shown in Fig. 4, and this pin when the drum turns to communicate power releases the main driving-gear, to be hereinafter particularly mentioned, permitting the same t0 turn to communicate power. The drum C is' loosely mounted upon a fixed shaft 40, secured to the bracket B' and to the outside auxiliary bracket 41. (Shown in Figs. 2 and 4.) The spring 42 for the drum O is coiled around the shaft 40 and is secured at one end to the shaft, while the other end is attached to the peripheral section of the drum, as shown in Fig. 5, and the spring is charged suffi ciently to meet all requirements as to power.

A large gear-Wheel 43 is loosely mounted upon the shaft 40 adjacent to the inner side of the drum, as is shown in Fig. 4, and a slightlylarger Wheel 44, provided with ratchet-teeth more or less closely placed, is attached to or made integral with the inner face of the gear 43, and a similar ratchet-wheel 45 is attached to or made integral with the outer face of the gear 43 or the face next to the drum. These three

wheels

43, 44, and 45 turn together. The teeth of the ratchet-wheel 45 are engaged by a dog 46, pivoted upon the drum, as is shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, being held in such engagement by a spring 47. As the operating cord or strap 32 33 is removed by the operator or other means from the periphery of the drum C by being drawn through either of. the openings 13 the allowable distance, thereby forcing the drum to revolve, and thus further intensifying to afixed point of suificiency'the spring 42 contained therein', the power-controlling levers and dogs are temporarily carried out of ofiice, as hereinafter described, by coming in contact with x the pin 39 during the primary movement of drum, so `that when the operating cord or strap 32 33 is again released by the operator or other means above referred to the spring 42 within the drum is given control and is at liberty to transmit power through the dog 46 and ratchet-wheel 45 to the large drivinggear wheel 43, and thence through the agency of a second or communicating gear-wheel 76,

r controlled by a reversing-lever F, to either of the su. )l -

reels

22 or 23 accordinol i as n i desired. either the front or rear of the device; but if `hile the spring in the drum is beingfur- :ther intensified .by means of the operating strap or cord, as above explained, thecom- ICO IIO

bined wheels

43, 44, and 45 should remain stationary, and to accomplish this result a dctent 48, controlled by a spring 49, is pivoted upon a suitable support-the trunnions of the winding-roller 22, for example-and this detent engages with one of the rear teeth of the driving-gear 43, as is shown in Figs. Zand 3. Vhen, however, the driving-gear is driven by the drum C, the detent 48 slips idly over the teeth of the gear.

After each operation of the device, as has been or will be fully set forth, the remaining unexhausted tension on the spring within the drum will be overcome and heldin store until the next operation ofthe device by a long pawl 50 engaging with the teeth of the ratchetwheel 44, as is shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the lower end of which pawl is shown pivoted to the outer surface of the foot-plate 21 of the bracket B. A spring 51 is attached to the pawl 50 midway of its length, and the said spring is also attached to the auxiliary bracket 41.

Above the spring 51 the pawl 50 is provided with a pin 52 upon its outer surface, and this pin is received in a slot 53, made in the end of a link 54, which link is pivotally attached to a lever-arm 55, fulcrumed at its lower end on the foot-section 21 of the bracket B', and said lever-arm 55 at its forward edge is provided with a lug 56, adapted to enter a recess 57 in the peripheral portion of a disk 58, which disk is secured to the outer end of a trunnion 59 of what I term a combined controlling and measuring roller7 D. The trunnions of the said roller are jourualed in the foot-sections 21 of both the brackets, and flange -heads 60 are provided for the said roller D between the aforesaid brackets, as is shown in Fig. 4.

A spring 6l is attached to the upper end of the lever-arm 55 and to the auxiliary bracket 4l, and the spring 61 tends to normally hold the lug 56 against the peripheral portion of the disk 58, connected with the measuring and controlling roller D, while the spring 51 serves to normally hold the detent 50 in retaining engagement withA the ratchet-wheel 44, attached to the main driving-gear 43.

When the spring in the drum C has been wound sufficiently, the pin 39, carried by the drum, will strike the lever-arm 55 and carry the detent or pawl 50 out of engagement with the aforesaid ratchet-wheel 44, and the Vdrum will then be free to turn, since when the detent 50 is disengaged from the ratchet-wheel 44 the spur 56 will also be carried out from the recess 57 in the disk 58 of the measuringroller, and the said lug will then travel on the plain peripheral surface of the disk 58 until the measuringroller has made one revolution, during all of which period the lug 56 will hold the detent 50 out of possible checking engagement with the ratchet-wheel 44; but when the measuri 11g-roller D has made one complete revolution the lug 56 will again enter the recess 57 in the disk 58, and the detent 50 will .be drawn by its spring 51 immediately into locking engagement with the ratchet-wheel 44, thus checking the further revolution of the drum C, and consequently stopping the operation of the entire device.

When the measuring-roller D has made one complete revolution, the name of a station, street, or other matter of information or advertisement next in order as arranged for on the curtain will have been accurately presented at the display-opening 12, and as the measuring-roller makes but one revolution each time the drum C is operated the curtain E, which passes in contact with and thereby operates the measuring-roller D and'is attached at its ends to the winding-

rollers

22 and 23, will move the same distance backward or forward, as the case may be, according to the position of the reversing-lever F, each time that the device is operated. It will be understood that the matter to be displayed is produced in any suitable manner on the outer face of the curtain at proper intervals apart.

The curtain E after leaving the

windingrollers

22 and 23 is preferably passed over the top portion of the combined measuring and controlling roller D, as is shown in Fig. 3,A and is held in such position by guide-rollers 61L at each side of the measuring-roller, around the bottom portion of which the curtain is passed, and these guide-rollers 61n are journaled in the bottom portions of the brackets B and B. Also, preferably, a third lower guide-roller 62 is employed to properly direct the curtain E at the front of the case, assisted by an upper guide-roller 63. These guiderollers 62-and 63 are shown journaled in horizontal extensions 64 and 65 from the upper land lower portions of the brackets B and B but, if desired, as shown in Fig. 7, the curtain E may be passed beneath the measuring and controlling roller and then forwardly under the guide-roller 66, j ournaled in extensions 67 from the brackets, and in this event another guide-roller 68 engages with the curtain beneath the measuring-roller, the bearings for which guide-roller 68 are pivoted to the brackets B and B and are held up by springs 69.

The roller D is in every sense a measuring and controlling roller, since it stops the mechanism at the same and proper time at each operation, and the diameter of the roller determines the area of the curtain to be dis-- rovidinO-a dis la -s ace at each o eration of about six inches in height and of a length equal to the length of the display-opening 12.

Thus it will be seen by simply adjusting the- I diameter of the roller D so that its circumfer- ICOy IIO

ence is equal to the desiredheight of displaysurface any fixed area of curtain-surface desirable can he displayed without in any man- -ner interfering with the working parts of the device.

Thereversing-lever F, heretofore referred to, is fulcrumed upon the inn er face of the vertical section 2O of the right-hand bracket B', as is shown in Fig. 3, and the lower end of the lever F extends free of the lower guide-rollers for the curtain E down through the slot 14 in the case and the locking-plate at said slot and is held in its two positions by entering the

recesses

17 and 18 of said plate. The upper end of the reversing-lever F is provided with a fork 70, which receives a pin 71 on a loose cross-bar 72, capable of end movement, and lever-arms 73 are pivoted tothe end portions of the cross-bar 72 and to the members 19 of the right-hand bracket B. A vertical rocking arm 74 is pivoted at its lower end in front of the bracket B' upon the drum-shaft 40 and extends upward between the branches or upper members 19 of the said bracket B', and this rocking arm at the front surface of its upper end is provided with a hanger 75.

Between the rocking arm 74 and its hanger 75 a gear 76 is mounted to turn, being driven from the main drivin g-gear 43, with which it is in constant engagement. As the reversinglever is shifted from one end of the slot 16 of the locking-plate 15 to the other the gear 7 (i is carried into mesh with one or the other of the pinions 29 on the curtain-carrying rollers or

reels

22 and 23 to make one or the other of the rollers 22 or 23 a winding-roller, and such result is accomplished by connecting the rocking arm 74 with the lever-arms 73 through the medium of springs V77, which spring con-l A arm 74 and the side members or lever-arms 73 of the frame actuated by the reversing-lever F enables the teeth of the gear 76 to be or carrying-roller from which the curtain is to be removed, and the other brake-shoe is simultaneously relieved from braking action upon the reel or curtain-roller in control of the power. This action is accomplished by connecting the upper portions of the bellcrank levers 28 with the upper portion of the rocking and gear-carrying arm 74 through the medium of springs 7 8 of equal length and strength, one spring being placed under tenvelocity during its expansion, and when the stopping-point is reached the sudden jar thus occasioned would in time impair accuracy. The governor G is in the form of an air-cushion device and consists of a cylinder 79, having a hinged connection SO with a suitable portion of the case. The cylinder is provided with apertures 81 at one or more, preferably four, different points in its length,

`so that it does not use any of the spring energy to exhaust so long as the speed is not great enough to overtax the capacity of the four vent-holes. A piston-rod 82 slides in said cylinder,having a head 83 at its inner end,and the outer end of the piston-rodv is preferably connected with a side member of the drum C. It will be observed that when the piston is forced into the cylinder its head 83 closes the vents or apertures 81 one at a time, and thereby has the speed of the mechanism well under control when the device is suddenly halted by the automatic action of the measuringroller. As the velocity of the drum increases the vents S1 in the cylinder 79 are successively passed by the friction-head 83, thus reducing the exhaust to a minimum, and consequently reducing the speed of the mechanism.

In the operation of the device when a change of display is to be made one of the straps connected with the drum C is drawn upon to further intensify the spring in the drum. 1 The pawl 48 meanwhile holds the main driving-gear 43 stationary, and the pawl 50 acts to prevent the drum from turning in a reverse or unwinding direction. Prefer- IOU IIO

ably just before the spring of the drum is sufficiently wound said drum acts to sound an alarm, and almost immediately afterward the pin 39 of the drum strikes the lever 55 and releases the pawl 50, disengaging it from the large ratchet-wheel 44, and the lug 56 on the controlling lever-arm 55 is carried out from the recess 57 in the disk 58, connected with the measuring-roller D.' rlhe spring of the drum is now permitted to act and communicates power to one of the curtain-carrying reels or rollers by the mechanism heretofore described, causing the curtain to travel past the display-opening 12 in the case and to be unwound from one carrying-reel and wound upon the other until the measuring-roller D has made one complete revolution, whereupon the lug 56 of the controlling lever-arm 55 will again enter the recess 57 in the disk of the measuring-roller, instantly stoppin g the mechanism by permitting the pawl() to be again in check connection with the drum, While any shock which might otherwise occur is taken up by the governor G, and the mechanism is in position for another operation.

vIf the display matter be properly laid out upon the curtain, the matter to be displayed at each operation will present itself at the case-opening 12 in proper registry with said opening, and the same amount of curtainspace will be disclosed at each presentation.

It will be observed that the roller D tends to measure and control the extent of movement of the curtain during each operation of the device.

The guide or contact rollers about the measuring-roller D are simply intended to create additional friction between the curtain and the measuring-roller as a precaution against any undue slipping of the curtain past the measuring-roller D without turning the same. As a further precaution the ends of the measuring-roller D, as shown in Fig. S, are provided with metallic fcrrules or thimbles D', having serrated peripheral surfaces, and the opposing ends of. the guide or contact rollers Gl are provided in like manner with rubber ferrules or thimbles 6, and owing to the spring-pressure exerted on them to keep the curtain in frictional contact with the measuring-roller, as heretofore set forth, it will be seen that the margins of the curtain will be firmly held secure from any otherwise possible chance of slipping between the serrated surface of the thimbles on the roller D and the opposing rubber thimbles on the guide or contact rollers.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. In a station-indicator, a curtain, rollersupports for the curtain, a driving mechanism having a movable member for application to either roller-support to drive the same, a measuring and controlling roller for the curtain located between the supports,the circumference of said roller governing the extent of the movement of the curtain at each operation oi' the device, a check for the driving mechanism, automatically brought into action at the end of each revolution of the measuring and controlling roller, and means for automatically releasing said check.

2. In a station-indicator, a curtain, rollersupports for the ends of the curtain, a driving mechanism having a member mounted on arocking support for application to either roller-support to drive the same, a measuring and controlling roller, the circumference of which governs the extent of movement of the curtain at each operation, a check for the driving mechanism, means for bringing the check into action and automatically controlled by the measuring and controlling roller, and means carried by the driving mechanism, for automatically releasing said check.

3. In a station-indicator, a curtain, rollersupports for the ends of the curtain, a driving mechanism for one of the curtain-rollers, a measuring and controlling roller the ci rcumference of which governs the extent ofv movement of the curtain at each operation of the device, a check for the driving mechanism preventing its movement in a driving direction during its operation to store power,means carried by the driving mechanism for auto- -matically releasing the said check when sufficient power has been stored in the driving mechanism, and a locking connection between the feed-roller and said check, asserted when the check is released and automatically re.- sumed when said feed-roller has made a revolution.

4. In a station-indicator,a curtain,supp0rt ing-rollers for the ends of the curtain, a measuringand controllin g roller between the ends of the curtain, provided with a peripheral recess at one end, a spring-drum, a driving connection between said drum and one of the supporting-rollers, a toothed wheel connected with the drum, a spring-controlled pawl engaging the teeth of said wheel, which pawl remains in checking engagement with said wheel during the winding operation ofthe drum, a lever-arm connected with the pawl, operating the same against the tension of its spring and provided with a lug adapted to enter the peripheral recess in the measuring and controlling roller,"and means carried by the drum for taking the lug of the lever-arm from the recess in the measuring and controlling roller and effecting a release of the pawl, which means act during the winding operation of the drum.

5. In a station-indicator, the combination with a curtain, roller-supports for the ends of the curtain, and a spring-drum having means for winding and in gear connection with one of the curtain-rollers, of a measuring and controlling roller engaging the curtain between its ends, a disk carried by the measuring and controlling roller, provided with a recess in its periphery, a spring-controlled lever-arm provided with a lug which is normally within the recess of the disk, a spring- ,controlled pawl in check engagement with the spring-drum during its winding operation, a connection between the lever-arm and pawl, and means carried by the drum, arranged to disengage the lug of the lever-arm from the recess in the disk of the measuring and controlling roller at a period during the winding operation of the drum.

(i. In a station-indicator, the combination with a curtain, roller-supports for the ends of the curtain provided with pinions,and a driving mechanism including a spring-drum, gearing connected with the drum,and a gear in constant engagement with the gear of the drum and adapted for engagement with the pinion ICO lIO

of either curtain-roller, of a measuring and controlling roller located between the ends of the curtain, the circumference of which governs the extent of the movement of the curtain at each operation of the device, means for automatically controlling the movement of the driving mechanism in. one direction from the measuring and controlling roller, and means for preventing jar when the movement of the drum is suddenly checked.

7. In a station-indicator, a curtain,sup porting-rollers for the ends of the curtain, a driving mechanism for the curtain-rollers including a spring-drum, and an air-cushion device connected with and operated by the drum, to prevent jar when the movement of the drum is suddenly checked.

8. In a station-indicator, a curtain, supporting-rollers for the ends of the curtain, a

driving mechanism for the curtain-rollers, including a spring-drum, and an air-cushion device connected with and operated by the drum, to prevent jar when the movement of the drum is suddenly checked, said cushionin'g device consisting of a pivotally-supported cylinder having a series of air-vents therein, and a piston for the cylinder, the outer end whereof is pivotally connected directly with the drum.

9. In a station-indicator, a curtain, supportingrollers for the curtain, a driving mechanism for the rollers including a springdrum, a reversing device arranged to transmit power from the driving mechanism to either of the curtain-rollers,v and a cushioning device connected with the spring-drum, to prevent jar when the movement of the drum is suddenly checked.

'10. In a station-indicator, the combination with a curtain, roller-supports for the ends of the curtain, a driving mechanism including a driving-gear, and pinions carried -at an end ofthe curtain-rollers, of a rocking arm, a gear carried by the rocking arm, which gear is in constant engagement with the drivinggear and is adapted for engagement with the pinion of either curtain-roller, and mechanism for operating the rocking arm and having a spring connection therewith, as described. 1l. 'In a station-indicator, the combination with a curtain, roller-supports for-the ends of the curtain, and driving mechanism including a spring-controlled drum and gearing connectedl with the drum, of a reversing-lever, a cross-bar operated by the said reversinglever, lever-arms pivoted to the ends of the cross bar, a powertransmitting arm fulcrumed at the support of the drum, a gear carried by the power transmitting arm, adapted to mesh with the pinion of either of the curtain-rollers, and springs connecting the lever-arms of the reversing mechanism with the power-transmitting arm, substantially as described.

l2. In a station-indicator, a curtain, rollersupports for the curtain, a driving mechanism, a spring-controlled check for the drivingl mechanism, means for'automatically releasing the check, a measuring and controlling roller for the curtain, a locking connection between the said roller and the check, a reversing device arranged tov transmit power from the driving mechanism, brakes for the curtain-rollers, which brakes are alternately applied to and freed from the said curtainrollers, and an operative connection between the reversingdevice and the said brakes.

13. In a station-indicator, the combination with a curtain, roller-supports for the ends of the curtain, a. driving mechanism, and a reversing device having a rocking arm provided with means for transmitting power from the driving mechanism to either of the curtainrollers, and lever-arms connected by springs with the said rocking arm, of brake-shoes arranged for engagement with the curtain-rollers, levers carrying the said brake-shoes, and spring connections between the said levers and the rocking arm of the reversing device, whereby when one brake is applied the other brake is automatically released, and whereby the brake applied is at the curtain-roller from which the curtain is unwound, as specified. 14. In a station-indicator, the combination with a curtain, roller-supports for the ends of the curtain, a driving mechanism including a spring-drum and gearing, pinions at the ends of the curtain-rollers, and a reversing device arranged to transmit power from the driving mechanism to' either of the curtain-rollers, which reversing device includes -a lever, a cross-arm operated by the lever, lever-arms connected with the cross-arm, a power-transmitting arm pivoted centrally with respect to the springdrum, a' gear carried by said powertransmitting arm, adapted to mesh with the pinion of either curtain-roller, and springs connecting the upper portions of the leverrms with the upper portion of the powertransmitting arm, of brake-shoes adapted for engagement with the curtain-rollers, bellcrank levers pivotally supported on said brake-shoes, and springs connecting the bellcrank levers with the power-transmitting arm of the reversing device, for the purpose set forth. y

15. In a station-indicator, a curtain, rollersupports for the same, a driving mechanism, a spring-controlled pawl forming a check for the driving mechanism, means for automatically releasing the check, a kmeasuring and controlling roller for the curtain, and a locking connection between the said roller and the check.

16. Inastation-indicator, aninclosing case, a curtain, supporting-rollers for the curtain, a driving mechanism for the curtain-rollers including a spring-drum, a cylinder hinged at its lower end and provided with apertures at different points in its length, and a piston-rod having a head arranged to slide in the said cylinder, the outer end of the piston-rod being pivoted directly to the side of the drum, for the purpose set forth. i

IOO

IIO

IZO

17 In a station-indicator, a curtain, rollersupports for the same, a driving mechanism including a spring-drum and a toothed wheel connected therewith, a reversingdevice'arranged to transmit power from the driving mechanism, brakes for the curtain-rollers, an operative connection between the reversing device and the brakes, a measuring and controlling roller for the curtain provided with a peripheral recess at vone end, a spring-controlled pawl engaging the toothed wheel of the driving mechanism, a spring-controlled lever-arm provided with a lug adapted to enter the peripheral recess in the measuring and controlling roller, a link connecting the said pawl and the lever-arm, means on the drum for disengaging the pawl from the toothed wheel and thereby removing the lug from the recess in the feed-roller, a gong, and means for operating the gong from the drum.

18. In a station-indicator, a curtain, rollersupports for the curtain,a driving mechanism including a spring-drum and gearing` connected therewith, pinions carried by the curtain-rollers, a rocking arm, a gear carried by the rocking arm, the said gear being in constant engagement with the gear of the drum, and adapted for engagement with the pinion of either curtain-roller, a reversing-lever, and springs connected with the reversing-lever and with the rocking arm and servin g to hold the gear on the rocking arm in yielding engagement with either of the said pinions.

19. In a station-indicator, the combination with a curtain, roller-supports for the curtain, a driving mechanism including a springdrum and gearing connected with the drum, and pinions carried by the curtain-rollers, of

a reversing-lever provided at its upper end with a fork, a cross-bar provided with a pin engaging the said fork, lever-arms pivoted at their lower ends to the ends of the crossbar, a rocking power-transmitting arm fulcrumed at its lower end on the support for the drum, a gear carried by the said powertransmitting arm and located between the pinions of the curtain-rollers, the said gear being adapted to mesh with either of said pinions, and springs connecting the upper ends of the lever-arms with the upper end of the power-transmitting arm, as set forth.

20. In a station-indicator, a curtain, rollersupports for the curtain, a driving mechanism including a spring-drum, a check for the drum, and means carried by the drum for releasing the said check, as set forth.

2l. In a station-indicator, a curtain, rollersupports for the same, a driving mechanism for the rollers, a measuring and controlling roller for the curtain provided at one end with a peripheral recess, a spring-controlled lever-arm provided with a lug adapted to enter the said recess, a spring-controlled pawl for engagement with the driving mechanism to check the same, and a connection between the lever-arm and the said pawl, the said pawl being carried to checking engagement with the driving mechanism, when the lu g on the lever-arm enters the said recess.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN JOSEPH I-IEBERLE.

Witnesses:

JOHN J. HAMEL, ELROY D. WEsTBRooK.