US73752A - Improvement in eailroad-switohes - Google Patents

Description

WILLIAM I.` PATTON, OF HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO WILLIAM P.'

PATTON, .THEOPHILUS WEAVER, AND ISAAC LLOYD, OF SAME PLAGE.

Letters Patent No. 73,752, dated January 28, 1868.

IMPROVEMENT IN RAILROAD-SWITCHES.

TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM P. PAr'roN, of Harrisburg, in the county of Dauphin, and State of Pennsyl-V vania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Railroad-Switch Locks; and Ido declare the following to be a Tull, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to fthe accompanying drawings, and the letters of reference marked thereon.. I

The nature of my invention consists in constructing,vcombining, and arranging this lock substantially in themanner hereinafter set forth. In the drawings, making a part of this specidcation- Figure 1 represents a. side view, with the lock in section.

Figure'Z also represents a vertical side section of the lock when it is unlocked.

Figure 3 is-a cross-section'ot` the lock. l

Figure 4 is the front plate of the lock, with the key-hole and guard shown. n

Figure 5-represents an envelope, that encloses the lock, and answers a threefoldvpurpose: irst, as a means of protection to it; second, as a catch or stopper for the shot-bolt I of the lock; and, thirdly, as a key-retaining device, the purpose of which will be hereinafter set forth.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the key. i

Figure -7 is a plan view of the lock in section.

In gs. 1, 2, 3, and 7, B represents the case or body of the lock. It is given' the form substantially as shown in the gures named, and is made of'iron, brass, or other suitable metal. In the body `B the works of the lockare placed. Theyare constructed and adjusted in relation to each other substantially as follows:

The sleeve or tube d is fitted tightly in a hole made in the bodyl of the lock for its reception, and in a ver* tical position, as shown in' the drawings. This sleeve, d, is made of such a size, in relation ts the shot-bolt I, as to allow said bolt to move freely up and down in it without lateral motion. In this shot-bolt, a short distance from its lower end, a hole is drilled, of a proper size to receive the key-bolt X. The shot-bolt I sets upon a spiral spring, o, that is also inserted inthe sleeve d. Thissprin'g is made of brass or other suitable metal, and must be strong enough lto insure the correct action of the bolt, against which it impinges. The sleeve d has two vertical slots made in it, opposite each other, and of such a size and length as to allow the key-bolt X to move freely the required distance it has to travel. r lhis key-bolt X has a spiral spring, Z, encircling that portion of its body that projects through the shot-bolt I. This spring is for the purpose of keeping it (the key bolt) in a proper position in relation to 'the key-post 1 and the guard u. The guard 'tt is simplyA a projection, extending, from the back plate m', over the key-bolt X, having notches cut in its body to suit the key of the lock. The key-post 1 also .projects from the'back plate m, and is encircled at its base by a peculiar-shaped guard, that is constructed thus: It consists of an annular ridge, rising off the buck plate m', at ditIerent heights from the same, in two places. From the point c, around to n on the side nextthe guard u, the projection is made of such a height that the lower edge of the ward on the key will bear against it when the action of unlocking the lock is being performed, said key, atv the same time, being allowed to pass freely through the notches formed for it in the guard u. The other portion of the annular ridge, that extends from n to e, on the sidetowards B, (iig. 1,) is made of such a height from plate m as to form a shoulder at e, to prevent the key from being turned in the wrong direction. It also forms a shoulder at n, against which the key abuts when it has been turned far enough to open the lock. At the point.1t(tig. 1) the ridge is cut away down to lthesurface of the back'plate, so as to form a retaining-groove, in which the lower ward of the key is thrust and is held when the lock is unlocked. v

The key-bolt X has its li'ead shaped substantially as is shown at X, (tig. I.) Said head ismade of such a length, in relation to the key-post I, as to permit the wards on hey V to fairly catch on it when applied, as shown in iig, I.

The key V, iig. 6, has a hole drilled in its end, of a proper size to enable it to pass easily over the key'- post l, and has two curved Wards or projections, that are intended to catch hold of and hold on to the head of key-holt X when the lock is being unlocked. '.lhe.key V hasv its body reduced, as represented at 2, (dg. 6,) thus forming two flattened ,parallel sides.

The shield or envelope E is made of cast iron or oth'ersuitable nietal, and is formed substantially as shown in iig. 5.. When in proper position, it'embraccs the lock-body o nits sides, and also covers it.

The top, L, that covers the lock, has a hole or recess formed on its under side for the reception of the shotbolt I. This hole must be made large enough to permit the end of the bolt to go in easily.

The'shield E is further provided with a,l:eyhole to correspond to the key-hole in the lock. From this keyhole a slot is cut or formed, of a proper size to admit the flattened part on the key when said key is placed n proper position.

The shield E is held iirnily in place by bolts or spikes driven into ,a piece of timber, Il, uponwhich the switch stands, the lock having been previouslyr conniected securely to the switching-bar A, either by the knucklejonts s s, or other suitable method. v

In g. l, S S represent a siding, and F F the main track.

Having the diii'erent parts of the lock and switch in proper position, as shown in tig. l, it will be observed that the switch is locked uponthe main track. Now, if it is desired to shiftlor change to the siding S S, the key is inserted in the look until it can be pushed no farther. It is then turned to the right until it strikes the shoulder at n. During this operation, the wards on the key pass through the guard u, and catch hold of the key-bolt, and carry it down, and thus release the shot-bolt I, (see iig. The key is then pushed again, and

.enters the slot made in the guard at u for its reception. The lock is now'unlocked, and requires the key to bc Vleft in its place to keep it so. The switch can now be turned on to -the siding, as desired; but, upon moving the switch-lever, the attened sides of the key pass into the slot in shield E, and prevent it (the key) from being withdrawn, so that, in order to recover his key, the person using the switch must remove it from the siding back to the main track and lock it before he cando so. i

The advantages of this method of construction are as follows: First, a lock is obtained that causes every person using it to restore the switch te which it is applied to a safe position and lock it there. Any omissions of this required duty are reported by the retained key, as the keys willbe numbered, and each man charged with his number. Thus the delinquent. is infallibly pointed out.

The other advantages claimed for this lock are that it is more simple and secure, and less liable to get ont 'of order than others new in use. It is also better protected from the action of dust and the weather' than others.

Having thus given a full, clear, and exact description of my invention, and described its manner of operation, and pointed out its advantages and peculiar excellence, what I claim as new of my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is l I l 1. The arrangement of a lock-shield and-key, in combination with the shifting-mechanism of a railroadswitch, so that the key can only be withdrawn from the lock when the switch has been returned to the main track, and been locked in that position, substantially as set forth.

2. I claim the guard L, in' combinationwith the key 2, and a lock, attached to the shifting-rnechanisu1 of a railroad-switch,substantially in the manner and for the purpose set forth.

` WM. P. PATTON.

Witnesses:

HENRY EBnnsoL, WM. S. MILLER.

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