US767889A - Electric switch. - Google Patents

Description

No. 767,889. PATENTED AUG. 16, 1904. G. F. HOPEWELL & G. H. MORSE.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED DBO. a1. 1903.

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PATENTED AUG. 16, 1904. O. F. HOPEWELL & G. H. MORSE.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

APPLIOATION FILED mo. a1, 1903.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

N0 MODEL.

wfziizes sed. fi' QM UNITED STATES Patented August 16, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES F. HOPEVVELL AND CHARLES H. MORSE, OF CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 767,889, dated August 16, 1904. Application filed December 31, 1903- Serial No. 187,814. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

,of Middlesex, State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Electric Switches, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like characters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention relates to an electric switch which is especially designed for use in' connection with trolley signaling apparatus employed for electric street railways. The switch is designed to operate a circuit leading from the trolley-wire or other current-carrying wire to a ground or other return, which includes the operating electromagnet of the trolley signal mechanism, and said switch is designed to be operated by a trolley or equivalent device passing along the wire.

At the present time electric cars are run at very high speed, and the trolley strikes the actuator of the electric switch with such force that frequently some of the parts are broken, and not infrequently the trolley wheel is thrown off of the trolley-wire.

This invention has for its object to construct a switch which is especially designed for use with cars running at a high speed; and the invention resides particularly in the actuator for the switch, which is so constructed that it may be operated eflectively by a high-speed trolley without injury to any of the parts of the Switch or the switch-actuating mechanism.

The invention consists in an actuator for the switch consisting of a frame or bar disposed in parallelism with the trolley-wire and in close proximity thereto, having one or more spirally-arranged ribs thereon which extend lengthwise of the frame or bar, and which are adapted to be engaged by the trolley to turn the frame or bar on an axis in parallelism with the trolley-wire, said frame or bar being connected with the switch and employed as the actuator therefor.

Figure 1 shows in side elevation a switch- ,actuator embodying this invention and a switch adapted to be operated by it, the housing being shown in section. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the switch-actuator removed. Fig. 3 is a vertical section of the switch-actuator and switch shown in Fig. 1, taken on the dotted line 3 3. Fig. 4 is an end view of the switchactu'ator. Fig. 5 is an end view of a modified form of switch-actuator to be referred to. Fig. 6 is a detail showing the operating mechanism for the circuit-controlling device for the Switch.

The switch which is herein shown for the,

sake of illustrating our invention is Substantially the same as shown and described in the application of Charles F. Hopewell for Letters Patent, Serial No. 176,021,filed October'T, 1903, yet so far as our present invention is concerned we desire to include within its spirit and scope any other form of switch adapted to be operated by the switch-actuator embodying this invention, the switch herein shownv being only one of many forms or types which may be employed.

The switch herein shown comprises, essentially, a frame or housing (0, adapted to be secured to a suitable'support above the trolleywire; a circuit-controlling device comprising the stationary contact member I) and the movable contact member b, which latter is secured to a pivot-rod 6 a spring 6 connected at one end to Said member I) and at the other end to a pin on the frame for normally holding said member removed from engagement with the Stationary contact member; a projection b on the arm secured to the pivot-rod 6 a camplate 0 overlying Said projection, which serves as the operating device for the circuit-controlling devicc; a rod or bar 0 upon which said cam-plate is loosely mounted; a locking device for the movable contact member for looking it when in engagement with the stationary contact member, consisting of ashort arm g, pivoted at g to the frame andhaving on its lower edge a projection g which 'is adapted to engage an arm Z), secured tothe movable contact member; an engaging portion 0 on the cam-plate for holding the locking-arm in its elevated position out of the path of movement of the arm'b; a retarding device for the cam-plate, consisting of an escape-wheel i, mounted loosely on the shaft 0, a pallet 71, cooperating therewith, a ratchetwheel 91 secured to one side of the escapewheel, and a pawl d", which is adapted to engage said ratchet-wheel when permitted so to act, but which is normally held out of engagement with the ratchet-wheel by an extension thereon engaging a part of the frame. All of these elements are substantially the same as shown in the application above referred to.

To give the cam-plate 0 a quarter-turn in one direction, it has formed upon it a downwardly-extending projection 0 which normally occupies a position at one side of an upward extension (Z on the actuator. The actuator consists of a frame or bar of, having a journal d at each end, set in a ball-bearing or other suitable bearing provided in the supporting-frame, and said frame or bar, 01 is disposed lengthwise the trolley-wire w, in

' parallelism therewith, and is suspended by its journal so as to swing freely in either direction on an axis in parallelism with the trolleywire. The frame or bar may be hollowed out or made as a skeleton frame to insure lightness. The frame or bar 03 has formed on its under side one ortwo spirally-arranged ribs d, which extendfrom end to end thereof, and at one end of said frame or bar the rib d is located, just above the trolley-wire, so as to be engaged by the trolley-wheel passing along the trolley-wire in one direction.

By arranging the rib d spirally it will be seen that as the trolley-wheel passes along the trolley-wire beneath said frame or bar it Will continuously engage said rib, and thereby cause the frame or bar to turn on its longitudinal axis, say, a quarter of a revolution.

The frame or bar itselfmay be formed spirally, as shown, like the ribs thereon, or it may be otherwise formed.

A detent d, adapted to engage the projection 0 on the operating device or cam-plate, is formed on a base d, which is secured to the top of the frame or bar of at a point approximately midway the length of said frame or bar, and as the frame or bar is turned on its axis the detent will be correspondingly moved and will enga e the )rojection c and o erate the cam-plate, and as the cam-plate is turned on its axis by said detent a portion thereof which overlies the projection o will engage said projection and move the contact member 6 toward and into engagement with the contact member 7). It may be stated that the movement thus given to the cam-plate by the detent (Z is approximately thirty degrees, and this movement is herein referred to as the initial movement. Further movement is or may be given to said cam-plate c in continuation of said initial movement by means of a link f, the lower end of which is loosely, connected to the plated on the frame or bar (Z and the other end of which is slotted, as at f, and engages a pin f projecting laterally from the cam-plate.

Normally the pin f occupies a position substantially midway the length of the slot, so that the actuator of is free to move a short distance, while its detent d engages and moves the cam-plate, during which time the link moves longitudinally independent of the cam plate; but as soon as the outer end of the slot strikes the pin f then as the actuator continues to move in a direction toward the right the link will pull upon the cam-plate and turn said plate on its axis in the same direction that itis being moved by the detent d, and

such further movement of the cam-plate is approximately sixty degrees. During this subsequent movement of the cam-plate the portion thereof which engages the projection b rides along on said projection and does not act to further move the contact member I), but holds said contact member 6' in its abnormal position. Thus a quarter-turn is given to the cam-plate by two successive movements, one in continuation of the other.

If the projection c on the cam-plate is omitted, the cam-plate will be moved by the link. Hence we do not desire to limit our invention to the employment of both movements. We prefer, however, to provide an initial movement in order that the actuator may be struck a sudden blow without injuring the parts and to provide a subsequent movement in order that the retarding device may be engaged in such manner that it shall retard the return movement of the cam-plate for a longer period of time than if said subsequent movement was not provided.

As'the cam-plate is given a quarter-turn and the movable contact member moved into engagement with the stationary member the projection 6 remains in continuous engagement with the cam-plate, so that said cam-plate positively holds said contactmember it'its abnormal position with the circuit closed. By so locating the slotted portion of the link that the pin f normally occupies a position substantially midway the length of the slot it will be seen that the actuator (Z may be swung in a direction toward the left from a perpendicular and the link moved up a short distance and then turned on the pin'f as a pivot, as the pivotal connection of the link with the plate 6 on the actuator passes a straight line extending from the pivot 622 of the actuator to the pin f and then said link will be drawn down as the actuator continues to move toward the left. As this movement of the actuator isin a direction toward the left from a perpendicular it will not move the cam-plate c.

The switch thus far described comprises a single circuit-controlling device and operating device therefor, a locking deviceand an actuator for the said operating device; but ordinarily the switch will comprise two circuitcontrolling devices, a locking device for each,

circuit-controlling device, although the same retarding device and the sameactuator will be employed for both operating devices. The second circuit-controlling device, operating device, and locking device are constructed substantially the same as the first, as above described, and the retarding device is also similarly constructed, although thesame escape-wheel serves for both retarding devices, and it is for the purpose of providing means for turning the actuator in the opposite direction to thereby operate the second circuitcontrolling device that it'has formed upon it two spirally-arranged engaging ribs extending from end to end of the frame or bar 03, one end of each rib being arranged at the end of the frame or bar just above the trolleywire, so that the trolley of a car going in one direction will engage one of the ribs and the trolley of a car going in the opposite direction will engage the other rib.

Referring to Fig. 5, the frame or bar 0? of the actuator has formed upon it two spirallyarranged grooves adapted to receive the shoe of a third-rail system, which we herein deem the equivalent of a trolley-wheel, the operation of the parts being substantially the same.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In an electric switch, the combination with a circuit-controlling device, operating mechanism therefor, and an actuator connected with said operating mechanism, consisting of a frame or bar extending lengthwise of and in close proximity to the trolley-wire, and adapted to turn on an axis in parallelism therewith, and having a spirally-arranged trolley engaging portion thereon, substantially as described.

In an electric switch, the combination with a circuit-controlling device, operating mechanism therefor, and an actuator connected with said operating mechanism, consisting of a frame or bar extending lengthwise of and in close proximity to the trolley -wire, and adapted to turn on an axis in parallelism therewith. and having a spirally-arranged rib thereon adapted to be engaged by the trolley, substantially as described.

3. In an electric switch, the combination of two circuit controlling devices, operating mechanism therefor, and an actuator connect- .ed with said operatlng mechanisms, consisting of a frame or bar extending lengthwise of and in close proximity to the trolley-wire, and adapted to turn on an axis in parallelism therewith, and having two spirally-arranged trolley-engaging portions thereon, one end of each portion terminating close to the trolleywire, substantially as described.

4. In an electric switch, the combination of two circuitcontrolling devices, operating mechanism therefor, and an actuator connected with said. operating mechanisms, consisting ofa frame or bar extending lengthwise of and in close proximity to the trolley-wire, and adapted to turn on an axis in parallelism therewith, and having two spirally-arranged ribs thereon adapted to be engaged by a trolley, one end of each rib terminating close to the trolley-wire, substantially as described.

5. In an electric switch, the combination of a circuit-controlling device, a cam-engaging projection 011 the movable member thereof, a cam-plate for engaging said projection, an actuator consisting of a frame or bar extending lengthwise of and in close proximity to the trolley-wire, and adapted to turn on an axis in parallelism therewith, and having a spirally arranged trolley engaging portion thereon, and also having a detent adapted to engage said cam-plate, substantially as described.

6. In an electric switch, the combination of a circuit-controlling device, an operating device therefor, an actuator for said operating device for giving it an initial movement, consisting of a frame or bar extending lengthwise of and in close proximity to the trolleywire, and adapted to turn on an axis in parallelism therewith, and having a spirally-arranged trolley-engaging portion thereon, and a link connecting said actuator with said operating device, for giving said operating device a subsequent movement in continuation of said initial movement, substantially as described.

7. In an electric switch, the combination of two circuit-controlling devices, cam-engaging projections on the movable members thereof, cam-plates for engaging said projections to operate the circuit-controlling devices, an actuator consisting of a frame or bar extending lengthwise of and in close proximity to the trolley-wire, and adapted to turn on an axis in parallelism therewith, and having two spirally arranged trolley engaging portions thereon, one end of each portion terminating close to the trolley-wire, and detents borne by said actuator adapted to engage said camplates, substantially as described.

8. In an electric switch, the combination of two circuit-controlling devices, cam-engaging projections on the movable members thereof, cam-plates for engaging said projections to operate the circuit-controlling devices, an actuator consisting of a frame or bar extending lengthwise of and in close proximity to the trolley-wire, and adapted to turn on an axis in parallelism therewith, and having two LOO IIO

spirally-arranged trolley-engaging portions names to this specification in the presence of thereon, one end of each portion terminating two subscribing wltnesses.

close to the trolley-Wire, and cletents borne CHARLES F. HOPEWELL. by said actuator adapted to engage said eam- CHARLES H. MORSE. plates, and links connecting said actuator With Witnesses: said cam-plates, substantially as described. B. J. N oyns,

In testimony whereof We have signed our H. B. DAVIS.

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