US756680A - Station-indicator. - Google Patents

Description

PATENTED APR. 5, 1904. H. G. MILLER. STATION INDICATOR.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.16, 1903.

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III)" I IHHI' "H; GLMIL LER. STATION INDICATOR.

AP PLIGATION FILED JANJ16, 1903.

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PATENTED APR. 5, 1904.

H. G. MILLER.

STATION INDICATOR.

' APPLICATION FILED JAN. 16, 1903..

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UNTTnn STATES Patented April 5, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY Gr. MILLER, OF DENVER, COLORADO, ASSIGN OR TO JOHN F. LAPP,

' OF DENVER, COLORADO.

STATION-INDICATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 756,680, dated April 5, 1904.

A li ti fil d January 16, 1903. Serial No. 139,357. No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HARRY G. MILLER, a citizen of the United States of America, residing in the city and county of Denver and State of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Station-Indicators; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled inthe art to which it appertains .to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification. I

My invention relates to improvements in stationindicators, being more especially designed for use .on street-cars in cities. It is evident, however, that it may be employed in any relation where a device of its class is needed.

This invention is intended to overcome the difficulty of uncertainty with reference to location experienced by passengers on streetcars, especially at night. Many conductors in this case are very negligent about calling the streets, or when they pretend to call the passengers oftentimes fail to hear or understand the name of the street. Undistinctness of utterance is not alone to blame for this trouble, since the noise of the car and other noises incident to traffiein busy streets drown the voice of the conductor, who, moreover, is generally very busy, making it quite impossible for him to keep the passengers posted as to their location.

My improved device is intended to be operated by'the motorman, preferably by pressing down with the foot in a manner similar to the operation of the gong. Of course it may be connected with a pull-cord and operated by the conductor, if desired, or it may be operated automatically, though no automatic attachment is shown in the drawings.

Having briefly outlined the objects of my improved construction, I will proceed to describe the same in detail, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which is illustrated an embodiment thereof.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a front View of my improved device, the casing being removed. Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the same viewed in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of the same. centrically mounted operating-gear removed, showing the hollow cam,or open frame for controlling the tension of the curtain rollers or drums. Fig. 5 is a section taken on the line 5 6, Fig. 3,,viewed in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 6 is a section taken on the same line looking in the opposite direction and showing the casing in place. Fig. shows one of the curtain-rollers partly in section, illustrating the manner of connecting the curtain and shown on a larger scale. Fig. 8 is a cross-section of the same. Fig.9 is a section taken through the eccentric and the operating-gear mounted thereon, together with the adjacent operating parts. Fig.'l0 is a section taken through one of the end plates, illustrating the spring-actuated pin which engages the controller-wheel.

The same reference characters indicate the same parts in all the views.

Let the numerals 5 and 6 designate two upright end plates in which the curtain-rollers 7 and 8 are journaled. The curtain 9 is carried by these rollers, which are separated to leave an intermediate curtain-space of sufficient area to display a street-name on a large scale, so that it may be easily seen from the most remote part of the car. The curtain between the upper and lower rollers passes over small guide- rollers 12 and 12, Whose spindles'are journaled at one extremity in an auxiliary frame-plate l3 and at the opposite extremity in the end frame-plate 6. This plate 13 is supported by a stationary arm 14;, whose lower extremity is attached to one of the rods 15, connecting the end plates 5 and 6. The plate 13 is further supported by a bolt 16, secured to the end plate 5 and upon which a wheel 17 is journaled. This wheel is provided with short pins or projections 17 1 formed on its periphery, which projections engage'eyelets 9, formed in the curtain 9. This wheel regulates the movement of the curtain and prevents the possibility of its traveling too far Fig. 4C is an end view with the ecwhenever it is actuated through the instrumentality of mechanism hereinafter described.

Eccentrically mounted on a journal 18, formed integral with the end plate 5, is a cylinder 19, to which is attached acollar 20, made fast to the eccentric-cylinder by a screw 21 and provided with wings to facilitate manipulation or adjustment by the hand of the operator. This eccentric and the collar attached thereto are held in place on the journal by a stop-washer 22 and a screw 23, the latter passing through the washer and being threaded in the outer end of the journal. The Washer overlaps the eccentric, which is arranged to turn freely on the journal for the purpose of adjusting the operating gear 24, which is j ournaled on the eccentric. The gear 24 is provided with a hub to which is made fast a ratchet-wheel 25. Between this ratchet and the gear is located a ring 26, which fits the hub of the gear 24 and turns freely there- The gear 24 is provided with an interiorlyprojecting concentric flange 24, which fits the interior of an open frame or hollow cam 27, pivoted on the end plate 5, as shown at 28. At the extremity of the frame 27 remote from the pivot 28 the frame is provided with a stud 29, which protrudesthrough a curved slot 30, formed in the plate 5, and is adapted to alternately engage two pivoted spring-held arms 31 and 32. The extremities of these arms remote from the stud are pivoted to the plate 5, as shown at 33 and 34,

. on one edge of the plate 5.

the position shown in Figs. 4 and 5, whereby v uppermost, the gear is raised to its upper limit of movement and a corresponding movement is imparted to the frame 27, which moves the stud 29 upwardly in the slot 30 to engagement with the arm 31,.Which is thereby thrown to a friction-block 31, mounted on the arm 31 roller.

understood that the curtain is drawn from one 6 5 intermediate its extremities, is disengaged from a disk 38, fast on the curtain-roller 7. When the arm 31 is in this position, the arm 32 is in the opposite position, being thrown inwardly by its spring, bringing a similar friction-block 39, mounted on the arm 32, into engagement with a disk 40, fast on the curtain-roller 8. These friction-blocks place the rollers alternately under tension, whereby the curtain is kept taut as it is drawn from the When the device is in use, it will be roller and wound on the other roller and the friction-block is made to engage the disk of the roller from which the curtain is drawn or unwound. After the curtain has been transferred to the winding-roller the frame 27 is shifted to allow the friction-block to engage the disk of that .roller, and the other roller then becomes the winding-roller. The winding-roller is actuated from the gear 24. An arm 41 is made fast to the ring 26 and projects outwardly far enough for the attachment of any suitable means for operating the device. Upon this ring is mounted a segment 42, car rying a pivoted pawl or dog 43, which is held in operative engagement with the ratchetwheel 25 by a spring 44, mounted on a flange 42 of the segment. As the arm 41 is moved downwardly a short distance or in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 2 it is evident that the ratchet-wheel 25 and the gear 24 will be given a partial rotation. When the eccentric 19 is in the position best shown in Figs. 2 and 9 of the drawings, the gear 24 is made to mesh with a pinion 45, fast on the extremity of the upper roller 7, which roller extremity projects beyond the end of the plate 5. Hence .the downward movement of the arm 41 will impart a movement to the roller 7 in the direction indicated by the arrows in Figs. 2, 4, 5, and 6. In this event the roller 7 becomes the winding-roller and the curtain is moved from the roller 8 to the roller 7. Then by giving the eccentric 19 a half-rotation the gear 24 is moved downwardly, disengaging it from the pinion 45 and causing it to mesh with a gear 46, the latter being in mesh with the pinion 47, fast on the journal of the roller 8 and occupying a position adjacent the plate 5 and in the plane of the other gears. Then if the arm41 is given a downward movement the roller 8 will be moved in the direction indicated by the arrows located adjacent the said rollers in Figs. 2, 4, 5, and 6, whereby the curtain 9 is rolled from the roller 7 to the roller 8. After each downward or actuating movement of the arm 41 the latter is returned to its normal or original position by a coilspring 48, whose upper extremity is attached to the pawl-holding segment 42 and whose lower extremity is secured to the lower part of the end plate 5. As the arm 41 is moved downwardly this spring 48 is placed under tension, and as soon as the downward pull on the arm ceases to act the recoil of the spring gives the arm and the ring 26 the reverse movement, returning the said parts to their original or normal position.

An auxiliary locking-dog 49 engages the ratchet-wheel 25 and looks it and its connections against making the reverse movement during the reverse action of the arm 41 and the actuating-pawl 43. This dog 49 is mounted on an arm 50, made fast to the end plate 5.

One edge of the periphery of the controllerwheel 17 is provided with recesses 17, one of which is normally engaged by a spring-actuated pin 51, which passes through the end plate 5, the latter being reinforced or provided with integral lugs 52 on opposite sides to give the pin a better bearing or guide and also to make room for a chamber in which the spring 58 is located. The outer portion of this pin 51 is engaged by the lower extremity of a lever 54, fulcrumed onalug 55. The outer extremity of the pin is threaded to receive nuts 56, which forma stop for the engaging extremity of the lever. The arm 41 as it moves downwardly engages the upper extremity of the lever 54 and forces the arm above the fulcrum inwardly, causing the opposite arm of the lever to move outwardly to disengage the pin 51 from the wheel 17. As soon, however, as the movement of the arm 41 is sufficient togive the curtain the desired movement through the instrumentality of the operatinggears the locking-pin aga n enters another recess of the wheel17 and locks the latter against further movement. It will be understood that the locking of the wheel 17 locks the curtain, since the studs 17 of the wheel engage the eyelets 9 of the curtain. To reduce friction, the arm 41 is provided with an antifriction-wheel 57, and in order to cause the pin 51 to return to its locking position as soon as the arm has moved downwardly far enough for the purpose the upper arm of the lever 54 is provided with an enlarged or cam-shaped upper part which gradually diminishes in size toward the fulcrum, permitting the upper arm of the lever to move outwardly and its opposite arm inwardly in time to perform the function stated.

Opposite the guide-rollers 12 a pair of rollers 58 is located. These last-named rollers engage the front surface of the curtain (see Fig. 1) and prevent the latter from moving away from the wheel 17 Opposite thiswheel these rollers 58 are provided with circumferential grooves 58 in line with the studs 17 of the wheel to make room for the protruding extremities of the studs while the rollers are in engagement with the curtain-surface.

The curtain extremities are secured to the rollers 7 and 8 by means of rods 59, located in grooves formed in the face of each roller and extending parallel with its axis. The curtain extremity is formed into a loop 9 and a rod is inserted from one endfbeing held in place by the friction- wheel 38 or 40, as the case may be, at one extremity and by a disk 60 at the opposite extremity. Each curtain-roller is provided with a disk 60, located near its extremity remote from the friction-disk.

WV hen in use, the mechanism should be provided with a casing 61, (see Fig. 6,) having hopper-shaped openings 62 and 63. The inner extremities of these openings are covered with glass pieces 64 and 65 or other suitable transparent material. As shown in the drawings, the opening 62 is the front opening of the casing through which the names of the streets are viewed.

From the foregoing description the use and operation of my improved device will be readily understood. The operating-arm 41 shouldbe connected with some suitable instrumentality making it convenient for the operator, as the motorman or conductor of a street-car, whereby the same may be given a downward movement or a movement in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 2. This movement unlocks the curtain-controller wheel 17 and actuates the gear 24, which meshes directly with the pinion 45 on the upper roller or with the intermediate gear 46, the latter meshing with the gear 47 on a journal of the roller 8, whereby the curtain is drawn from one roller and wound on the other roller. It may be assumed that in going in one direction over the line the curtain will be drawn from the lower roller and wound upon the upper roller, exposing all the streets or stations on the line at suitable intervals. As soon as the end of the line is reached the eccentric 19 will be actuated, giving it a one-half turn, which will throw the gear 24 out ofengagement with the pinion 45 and into mesh with the intermediate gear 46. Then the car is ready for the return trip, and as the arm 41 is actuated the curtain will be intermittently operated in the reverse direction and wound upon the lower roller,

exposing the names of the streets through the glass 64 in the reverse order of the exposure when coming in the opposite direction.

The eccentric 19 is provided with apin 19, normally forced against a shoulder 5 on the end plate 5 by a coil-spring 19, seated in a recess behind the pin, whose inner extremity is conical and adapted to enter two recesses 5 formed in theshoulder 5 at diametrically op} posite points. When the pin engages either of these recesses, the operator can hear the click or feel the action which indicates that the eccentric has reached one of its positions whereby the gears are adjusted for winding the curtain on one roller or the other, as the case may be.

Having thus described my invention, I claim is 1. In a station-indicator, the combination with a suitable frame, of two rollers journaled therein, a curtain containing the names of the streets or stations, said curtain being connected with the rollers and arranged to be wound what from one to the other, a gear on each roller,

tation, the operatinggear is shifted to ening an intermittent movement to the operat-' ing-gear, whereby the curtain is wound from one roller to the other, substantially as described.

2. The combination with a suitable frame, of separated rollers journaled in said frame, an operating-gear, an eccentric. mounted on the frame and on which the operating-gear is mounted, for shifting the position of the latter, the eccentric being provided with a springactuated pin having a conical point adapted to enter recesses formed in the frame, the recesses being arranged to receive the pin whenever the eccentric is in either of two positions of adjustment necessary for the operation of the rollers, asuitable gear connection between the operating-gear and the two rollers whereby the. curtain may be wound from the one roller to the other at will, and suitable means for imparting an intermittent movement to the operating-gear.

3. The combination with asuitable frame, of separated rollers journaled therein, a curtain for the names of stations or streets, said ourtain being connected with the rollers, an operating-gear, an eccentric mounted on the frame and on which the operating-gear is mounted for shifting the position of the latter, spring-actuated means for locking the eccentric in the desired position of adjustment, a connection between said gear and the rollers whereby the curtain may be wound from either roller to the other by the operation of the gear, a ratchet-wheel fast on'the gear, a ring mounted on the hub of the gear and provided with a segment, a spring-actuated pawl mounted on said segment and arranged to engage the teeth of the ratchet-wheel, an operating arm connected with the ring, and a spring connected with the segment for returning the ratchet to its normal position after each partial rotation of the gear, and a locking-dog mounted on the frame and engaging the ratchet-wheel.

5. The combination with a frame, of sepa rated rollers mounted thereon, a curtain connected with the rollers in operative relation,an operating-gear, an adjusting-eccentric inwhich the gear is journaled, an operating connection between the operating-gear and the rollers whereby the curtain may be wound alternately from the one roller to the other, suitable devices for controlling the rollers whereby the curtain is held taut as it is drawn from one roller to the other, the said devices being arranged t o normally act on both rollers, and means operated by the adjusting-eccentric for rendering the controlling device of one roller inoperative while the curtain is wound from the other roller.

6. The combination with a suitable frame,of rollers journaled therein, a curtain connected with the rollers, an operating-gear, an adjusting-eccentric upon which the gear is j ournaled,

the gear having a flange, a suitable operative I rollers journaled therein, a curtain connected therewith, an operating-gear, an adjustingeccentric upon which the gear is mounted, a

suitable operative connection between the gear and the rollers, a pivoted frame open to receive a flange formed on the operating-gear, in which frame the said flange fits, a stud formed on the pivoted frame, a disk mounted on each roller, and pivoted spring-held arms carrying friction blocks normally engaging the disks of the rollers,the arrangement being such that as the operated gear is shifted by the movement of the eccentric,the stud of the pivoted frame engages one of the pivoted arms and disen gages its friction-block from the disk.

8. The combination with a frame, of rollers journaled therein, a curtain for the names of streets or stations, the curtain being provided with eyelets and arranged to be alternately drawn from one roller and wound on the other, gearing for actuating the rollers,an operatingarm connected with said gearing, a wheel having studs formed on its periphery and arranged to engage the eyelets of the curtain, the said wheel being provided with notches formed at regular intervals, a spring-actuated pin normally engaging one of said notches, a lever for withdrawing the said pin from its engaging notch, and arranged to be actuated for this purpose by the gear-operating arm, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I afliX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HARRY G. MILLER. Witnesses:

DENA NELSON, A. J. OBRIEN.

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