US794587A - Car-handling apparatus. - Google Patents

Description

PATENTED JULY 11, 1905.

L. F. CARD.

GAR HANDLING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPTA), 1904.

iimwwr W 1 UNITED STATES Patented July 11, 1905.

PATENT OFFICE.

CAR-HANDLING APPARATUS.

I SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 794,587, dated July 11, 1905.

Application filel September 9, 1904. Serial No. 223,907.

To all wit/0111 it inay conccrn' Be it known that I, LoUIs F. CARD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Coalcreek, in the county of Anderson and State of Tennessee, have invented new and useful Improvements in Car-Handling Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to car-handling apparatus or tipples specially adapted for use with mines for automatically dumping mine cars, but also capable of other applications where car-dumping means are employed.

The invention consists, primarily, in providing a downgrade main track over which loaded cars pass, having automatic switch devices cooperating with a reversely-graded return-track orsiding to receive the empty cars, both tracks respectively leading to and returning from a tipple-platform having a normal upgrade to obstruct to some extent the movement of the loaded car engaging the same after clearing the main track, the switch devices automatically operating independently of the loaded car after the latter is on the tipple-platform to throw in the returntrack or siding for the empty car. 7

The invention further consists in a downgrade main track for loaded cars leading to a tipple-platform or dumping means and having therein a scale-platform section with automatically-operating stopping or braking mechanism for properly checking the movement of and holding the car properly on the scale-section without interfering with the grade of the track, the car after the weighing operation being manually released and continuing by gravitation toward the table.

The primary object of the invention is to construct a car handling or dumping apparatus, including a tipple or dumping mechanism, in such manner that the several parts will be positively controlled automatically, and thereby reduce the necessity of manual attention to a minimum.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a top plan view of a car-handling apparatus embodying the features of the invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same, the operation of the tipple or dumping mechanism being shown in normal position in full lines and in operative position in dotted lines. Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section on the line 3 3, Fig. 1, showing the track-rails and car-checking means in connection with one of the rails to cooperate with the scale-section.

Similar numerals of reference are employed 1 to indicate corresponding parts in the several views.

The numerals 1 and 2 designate the rails of a main-track section, which may extend any distance and register with rails 3 and 4 ona scale-platform 5, having suitable scale mechanism cooperating therewith and located at a distance therefrom. The main track is continued in advance of the scale-platform by rails 6 and 7, the rail 7, adjacent to the scaleplatform, having a switch-point 8, movably connected thereto at one end, and a second shorter switchpoint 9, located close to the tipple or dumping mechanism, both switchpoints 8 and 9 being automatic in their operation and normally standing open or projected inwardly from the rail 7. The main track for the loaded cars, including the rails 1 and 2, 3 and 4, and 6 and 7, is laid or arranged at a suitable downgrade, which may be varied to accommodate certain surrounding conditions or special operations that may be desired. This main track terminates in operative adjacency to theinner ends of trackbars or tipple-rails 10, disposed over a sheetiron bottom 11, as in usual tipple constructions. On one side of the tipple and rising therefrom a suitable distance adjacent to one of the tipple-rails is a wheel-retainer 12, consisting of a piece of metal sloping toward the rail and operating to prevent the rear wheel of the car from leaving the rails when the car comes back in position after being dumped. The retainer 12 extends far enough over toward the rail to which it is adjacently located to engage the inner side of the rear wheel near the same, and thereby hold both rear wheels in close contact with the tipplerails 10; but said retainer does not interfere with the movement of the wheels over the tipple-rails. There is always more or less concavity or recessed surface at the inner side of the usual car-wheels, which will permit the retainer to operate as desired and obstruct the disengagement of the flanges of the rear wheels from the tipple-rails. At the center of the bottom 11 a heavy metal balancing-bar 13 is adjustably secured to compensate for varying positions of loads in cars that may run onto the tipple or to render the dumping operation of the latter more or less sensitive, the said bar projecting inwardly and when adjusted moved longitudinally and held in its adjusted position by suitable securing means. The tipple-rails 10 terminate in upwardlyprojecting hooked extremities 1 1, which strike the gate latches or devices and also catch the adjacent wheels of the car-truck and hold the ear with sufficient resistance to prevent it from being overthrown.

The tippleplatform, including the bottom 11 and tipple-rails 10, is mounted on a suitably-supported shaft 15, which has an upstanding arm or lever 16 secured to one end, and to the said lever is movably attached the rear end of a pull-rod or analogous device 17, which runs rearwardly and is movably connected to a hand-lever 18, located adjacent to the weighing mechanism or scale-platform 5. In practice the tipple is so adjusted by the bar 13 that a loaded car running onto the same will be dumped automatically when it strikes the hooked terminals 14 of the ti ple-rails 10 but the car will not return to a iorizontal position until the tipple-platform is brought to such position by the operation of the lever 18.

A return or side track is employed with the main track and consists of rails 19 and 20, inclined reversely to the main track or downwardly from the tipple mechanism. The rail 20, adjacent to the tipple mechanism, has a seat 21 to receive the switch-point 9, and the rail 19 passes through the opening 22 of the main track-rail 7, which is controlled by the switch-point 8 and has a curved throwrail or switch-point 23 movably attached thereto, and having a reduced terminal normally held in a suitable seat in the end of the rail 6 of the main track adj acent to the tipple mechanism. The portion of the rail 19 which passes through the opening 22 is depressed sufficiently to avoid interference with the throw of the switch-point 8, and the normal upward inclination or grade of the tipple-platform, which is adapted to slightly check the movement of the car running thereon, is similar and coincides with the plane of the downgrade of the return-track including the rails 19 and 20 and the switch-point 23, and hence when the tipple-platform is restored to normal position through the operation of the hand-lever 18 and the connections therefor with the shaft the empty car by gravitation will immediately start to move and automatically return over the track-rails 19 and and pass out from the main track.

The switch-point 8 has a transversely-ex tending switch-rod 24 attached to the free end thereof and movably passes under the rail 6 of the main track and is attached to a strong spring 25, secured to a suitable sup port or a part of the frame on which the apparatus is disposed. This spring 25 is a retractile spring and operates, through the rod 24, to hold the switch-point 8 in normal open position, and the end of the said rod connected to the switch-point projects sufficiently outward beyond the latter to bear on the adja cent portion of the rail 19 of the return-track to hold the switch-point 8 against depression when a loaded car is moving thereover. The switch-point 9 also has the end of a switchrod 26 attached to its free extremity, and said rod is also fixed to the free reduced extremity of the switch point or rail 23. The switch-rod 26 also extends under the main track-rail 6 and is terminally attached to a retractile spring 27, which. is also secured to a part of the supporting-frame.

As before'indicated, the character of the scale mechanism so far as the lever connections, beams, &c., are concerned may include any well-known mechanism for this purpose, and the essential feature in this particular arrangement is to dispose the platform 5 in the main track. It is obvious, however, that in view of the downgrade of the main track toward the tipple some means must be provided for temporarily stopping the car to weigh the load thereof, and this is done in the present instance without relying upon manual operation. The mechanism for checking the loaded car and bring ing it to a stop in proper position over the platform 5 consists of a brake-bar 28, which is normally held in close relation to the trackrail 3 on the platform, and which rail is in alinement with the rails l and 6. The brakebar 28 has the opposite ends beveled outwardly for clearance purposes and is adapted to engage the outer sides of adjacent earwheels. Projecting inwardly from the opposite extremities of the brake-bar are coupling-arms 29, which are movable in slots 1n the rail-sections 3 and have the ends of strong retractile springs 30 secured thereto, the opposite ends of said springs being adjustably connected by nutted hooked bolts 31 to the rail or rail-section 4. By the use of the adjusting means between the ends of the springs 30 and the rail or rail-section 41, as set forth, the tension of said springs can be regulated as found desirable. To release a car after the weighing operation, it is necessary to withdraw the brake-bar 28 from contact with the wheel side or sides, and for this purpose a hand-lever 32 is used and movably connected to the center of said brake-bar, the lower end of the hand-lever being fulcrumed to a part of the scale-platform means or frame for the platform. This hand-lever or releasing-lever 32 also has an outwardly- I same and the shaft 15, though said hand-leprojecting arm 33 disposed in a horizontal plane and terminating at its free end in a foot-tread plate 34. By this. means the brake-bar 28 may be released either by hand operation or foot-pressure.

The full operation of the tipple is as follows: A loaded car is allowed to run from any point in the main track by gravity to the scale mechanism, where it is automatically stopped or checked in its movement by the brake-bar 28. It is then weighed and subsequently released by an operator or weighman, who draws backwardly the lever 32 either by hand or foot pressure. After the car is released it continues by gravity over the main track toward the tipplef The flanges of the car or wheel first strike the switch-pointS and automatically close the same and then engage and close the switchpoint 9. When the latter switch-point is closed, the switch-rod 26, connected thereto, simultaneously opens the switch point or rail 23, and the car is thus free to pass over the tipple-platform and the wheels thereof to engage the tipple-rails 10 and be dumped by striking the hooked terminals 14 of said tipplerails. As soon as the car passes onto the tipple-platfo'rm the switch-points all assume normal position, the switch-point 8 of course returning to normal position as soon as the car leaves the same. the return-track, and the weighman, standing adjacent to the scale mechanism, draws inwardly on the lever 18 and raises the empty car, as well as the tipple-platform, and immediately the car starts to move by gravity overthe switch-point 23 and adjacent portion of the rail 20. It is obvious that instead of using springs in connectionwith the switch rods 24 and 26 weights may be employed and other detail changes may be made. as fairly fall within the scope of the invention.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that the improved car-handling apparatus is entirely automaticin its operation, ow-

ing to the grades of the main and return tracks. The scale mechanism set forth may be used independently of the tipple mechanism specified and the graded tracks. By reason of the reverse grades of the main track leading to the tipple-platform and the return-track from the latter the inside rails of 7 both tracks at the point of crossing can be maintained at a normal height of the rails, and thus establish a continuity of tractionsurface, which is advantageous in holding the cars to the tracks.

In some instances the bar 13 may be so proportioned or given such weight and position of adjustment that it willovercome the weight of the tipple-platform and the empty car and automatically restore such devicesto normal position without actuating the hand lever 18 and the connections between the This operation clears ver and. its connections form a valuable auxiliary in quickly restoring the tipple-platform and empty car to normal positions after. dumping operation. It will be understood that such degree of grade within certain distances will be adopted in both the main and return tracks as is best adapted for I the purpose, and, furthermore, changes in the proportions and dimensions may be va-' ried at will. The framework for supportin the apparatus has not been shown, but will be that usually employed for this purpose.

Having thus fully described the invention, what is claimed as new is r 1. In a car-handling'apparatus, the com bination of primary intersecting main and re turn tracks having reverse angles of inclination or grades, the rails of the return-track having their ends terminating at the ends of the main track, independent switch devices cooperating with the main track at two separate points in the latter where the rails of the return-track intersect and pass into the main track, said switch devices being normally open and closed independently of operating devices located at adistance therefrom, by direct engagement therewith of the car- .wheels to render the main track continuous, and .automaticallyoperating tipple mechanism at the coinciding terminals of bothtracks. 2. In a car-handling apparatus of theclass set forth, the combination of a main track and areturn-track, the terminals of both tracks being coincident or terminating equally, both tracks being also reversely graded with relation to each other, normally open switch devices at separate points in the main track where the rails of the returntrack intersect the rails of said main track, the switch devices being automatically operative to closed the .main track, the one switch device being supported when closed by an adjacent portion of one of the rails of the return-track,

position by the wheels of the car passing over and a tipple mechanism having a platform set forth, the combination of downwardlyinclined mam track, a reversely-inclined re turn-track terminally intersecting the main track, and a tipple mechanism arranged adacent to the terminals of said tracks and having an adjustable counterbalancing device attached to the table thereof.

5. In a car-handling apparatus of the class set forth, a downwardly-inclined track, a tipple mechanism arranged adjacent to one ter minal of said track, and a counterbalancing device adjustably connected to said tipple mechanism and directly carried by and movable with the latter.

6. In a car-handling apparatus of the class set forth, a downwardly-inclined main track, a tipple mechanism having a platform, tipplerails coinciding with the terminals of the main-tracl rails, and a counterbalancing device adjustably connected to the platform of the tipple mechanism and directly applied to and movable with said platform.

7. In a car-handling apparatus of the class set forth, a downwardly-inclined main track, a tipple mechanism arranged adjacent to one terminal of said track and including a shaft, and a hand-lever located at a distance from and connected to the said shaft for returning the platform to normal position.

8. In a car-handling apparatus of the class set forth, the combination of a downwardlyinclined main track, a reversely-inclined return-track intersecting the main track, a tipple mechanism disposed adjacent to the ter minals of the said tracks and including a shaft, and a hand-lever located at a distance from and connected to the said shaft for restoring the tipple mechanism to normal position.

9. In a car-handling apparatus of the class set forth, the combination of a downwardlyinclined main track, a tipple mechanism arranged adjacent to one terminal of said track and having tipple-rails, a car-wheel retainer on the tipple mechanism adjacent to and projecting toward one of said rails, and means for restoring the tipple mechanism to nor mal position.

10. In a car-handling apparatus of the class set forth, the combination of a downwardly-inclined main track, a tipple mechanism adjacent to one terminal of said track and including a shaft, an upWardly-projecting arm secured to one extremity of said shaft, and a hand-lever located at a distance from the arm and connected thereto.

11. In a car-handling apparatus of the class set forth, the combination of a clown- \\'a1'dlyinclined main track having norm ally open switch elements at intermediate and terminal points, a return-track intersecting the main track and reversely inclined to the latter and. also provided with a removable switch element between the rails of the main track, tipple mechanism adjacent to the intersecting extremities of the tracks, and switch-rods connected to the switch elements and having means attached thereto for normally holding the elements of the main track open and the element of the return-track closed with relation to the main track.

12. In a car-handling apparatus of the class set forth, the combination of a downwardly-inclined main track having a scale mechanism interposed therein, and a tipple mechanism at one extremity of said track.

13. In a car-handling apparatus of the class set forth, the combination of a downwardly-inclined main track having a scale mechanism interposed therein and including an automatically-operating brake-bar, and a tipple mechanism located at one extremity of said track.

14. In a car-handling apparatus of the class set forth, the combination with a down- Wardly-inclined track, of a scale mechanism interposed therein and having an automatically-operating brake-bar close to one side thereof, a lever connected to said brake-bar having means for hand and foot operation in connection therewith, and a tipple mechanism at one extremity of the said track.

15. In a car-handling apparatus of the class set forth, the combination of a downwardly-inclined track, a scale mechanism interposed therein and including a brake-bar adjacent to one side of said track having resilient devices attached thereto, and a releasing-lever provided with foot-operatingmeans, and a tipple mechanism adjacent to the lower end of said track.

16. In a car-handling apparatus of the class set forth, the combination with a downwardly-inelined track and tipple mechanism at the lower extremity of the latter, of scale mechanism consisting of a platform, a resiliently-operated brake-bar adjacent to one side of the track on the platform, and a man ual releasing-lever attached to the said brakebar.

17. In a car-handling apparatus of the class set forth, the combination of a downwardly-inclined track, a tipple arranged adjacent to the lower end of said track, scale mechanism interposed in the main track and having a brake-bar normally held close to one side of the latter, a manual releasing means for said brake-bar, and a manuallyoperated lever connected to the tipple mechanism for restoring the latter to normal position and located adjacent to the scale mechanism.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

LOUIS F. CARI). Witnesses:

GEORGE WV. VVENDLING, SAMUEL B. [Minus IOC IIC

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