US816505A - Traction-increasing mechanism. - Google Patents

Description

`N'."816,505. PATENTE!) MAR. 27, 1906.

1:". L. SHELDON.

TRACTIN INCREASING MEGHANISM.

PPLIGATIQN rILBD 56.11, 1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

y /N N A vgjfrf WITH/8858:

PATBNTBD MAR. 2?, 1906.

F. L. SHBLDON. TRACTION INCREASING MEGHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. i1. 1905.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Y weight from oil' the FRED L. SHXLDON` OF TACOM A, VVASHI NGTON.

TRAOTlON-INCREASlNG NIECHANISM.

Application filed August vSpecifcation of Letters Patent.

11,1905. Serial No. $3,802,

Patented March 27, 190B;

To all whom] it may concern:

Be it known that I, Faso L. Simpson, a citizen of the United States, residing at Tacoma, in the county of Pierce and State oi Washington, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Traction-Increasing Mechanism; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact descrip tion of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it opper tains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in means for taking approximately all of the weight effen engine ofi' the pony-trucks and placing it upon the drive-wheels. t.; Y i One of the several objects of the invention is the provisionbf means for facilitating the removal of all of the weight possible frein ofi' the ony-trucks and placing the saine upon 'the drive-Wheels during such time as an cnine is climbing a grade or starting a heavy lgoad. Under such circumstances it is very natural for the wheels of an engine to slipl and the additional weight supported by the ony truck will diminish this tendency` Again, the track upon which an engine is running may be roug by reason of depressions formed therein, or the track may be raised. In other instances the rails may be and are in many cases so arranged that one end of a rail is raised a little above the adjoining end of the other rail. An engine running at a slow speed under such circumstances or attempting to pull a heavy load striking such a place is thrown ofi its balance, and the weight-balances change. This starts slip ing of the drivers, and it requires considera le time for an engine to adjust itself to perform the werk for which it was intended. q

Therefore another obiect is the provision of means for facilitating the raising of the orly-trucks at intervals and placing it upon t e drive-wheels-that is to say, when an engine is pulling a heavy load or climbing a grade, and it is then aise that se engine needs to can hug the track closely and so that a jar from front or rear will not throw it from its balance.

A further object of vision of means for removing approximately all of the weight which is supported upon the pony-trucks off the saine and placin it upon the drivewheels of an engine in W 'ch the boiler is not directly supported upon the the invention is the pro-Y be steady, so that itV eey-trucks, but is carried by a line of equal-A izers and radins bars or levers and sprin With these and other 0b jects in view lise in= vention consists of certain other novel cone strnctions combinations, and arrangements of parte, as will be hereinafter ullydescribed, illustrated in the accompanying drsvvin si and more particularly pointed ont yin t e claims hereto appended.

in the drawings, Figure 1 is a View in side elevation of an engine provided with s rneche anisin constructed in accordance with the present invention, the runningegear of said engine and my improved mec ianism being partly shown in section. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the frame, the pony trucks, and drive-Wheels, as well as my im roved mechanism for raising the weig t o of the on trucks and placing it upon said drive-wheels. Fig. 3 is a front view, in elevation', of the mechanism depicted in Fig. 1, a part of my invention being shown in transverse section. Fig. 4 is a vertical fragmentary sectional'view of the mechanism, showing one of the cylinders, a piston mounted therein, and connectlevers of the mechanism.

Referring to the drawings erence, G designates a horizontal frame, which Y carries the cab G and the boiler G. A. brecing and supporting member G is secured to the front end of the boiler Gr2 G. Depending from boiler G2, near its front end, is a standard G". The frame G is supported upon the horizontal portions or saddles J of the drive-wheel boxes J J'. Upon the forward end of the frame G is secured a transversebcarn J2, upon which is mounted atransverse plete H. Brackets R are secured to a portion of the boiler. Brackets R* are secured tothe frame G.

Pivotally secured to the lower portion of the standard G* is a forward or main lever E. A pair of intermediate levers E are secured te the brackets Rear or asxiliary levers El are pivotally secured to the brackets R. V preierabl position parallel springs M and M upon t e saddles J of the drive-wheel trucks J and these springs M and M are connected to the levers E and Ez by means of hanger bars or members N. it is to be n oted that I preferabl employ only one main or rimary lever which is connected to the orward han er members N throu h the medium of the orizonta rod or sha O. The forward hanger members N are each provided by letters of ref-VY ing means for securing the same to one of the and the traine IDO IIO

disassembled with the levers.

with an eye at its lower end, in which the rod is positioned. The upper ends of the forward han Yer members N are preferably provided witi hooks which engage one end of the springs M. The hanger members N, which connect the intermediate levers E to the s rings M and M', are each preferably provide with hooked ends, which engage one end of the s ring and the opposite end engages a note ied or cut-out portion e, Fig. 4.-, which prevents the hangers from becoming T he hanger members N, which connect the auxiliary levers E2 to the springs M are each preferably rovided with a hook which engages eyes X, formed upon the endsof the auxiliary levers E2. The hangers which connect the primary lever E and the auxiliary levers E'l with the springs are of greater length than the intermediate levers connecting said springs with the intermediate lever E. The springs M2, which engage the saddle M3 of the rear pony-truck or trailer, are each provided with an eye M,

which is secured to the frame beneath the cab G by any suitable means-as, forinstance, the plate M5. The front end of each of the springs M2 is connected to the rear end of the levers E2 by a comparatively short hanger lnember in the same manner as the forward ends of said levers E'l are connected to the springs M.

By forcinfy the rear end of the auxiliary levers E2 and the forward end of the primary lever E upward nearly all of the weight which is supported upon the front and rear ponytrucks D will be lifted olf of the same and placed upon the drive-wheels. While different means Inay be employed for swinging the primary and auxiliary levers for lacing approximately all of the weight on tlie drive-wheels, I have preferably illustrated steam-actuated means for accomplishing this result.

The steamactuated means for swinging the levers colnprises, preferably, cylinders A, carried upon the frame byany suitable means one being preferably secured near the front of the frame in a manner hereinafter specified and the other secured to the frame contiguous to the cab and rear end of the boiler. As each of these cylinders and their coacting arts are of substantially the same structure, 1t will be unnecessary to specifically describe more than one, although a slight difference is involved in constructing the rear cylinder A and its coacting parts which will be mentioned hereinafter. Rererring particularly to the front-lever-actuatinfr means, it comprises a eylinderA, within whici is slidably mounted a piston A', which is provided with suitable packing secured upon its outer edge. The cylinderA is placed upon a base-plate A2, which rests upon the metallic flat,transverse late H, suported bythe transverse beam J2e the frame A sleeve C is ositioned within the aperture formed in the earn J2. The plate H is provided with an aperture registering with the sleeve C. A removable kin -bolt B, constituting a piston-rod, is secure to the piston A. This piston-rod B is provided with a hook formed upon its lower end which engages the recessed or cutout portion e formed upon the front end of the primary lever E. The saddle J of the front ponytruck is provided with a cut-out or socket portion, within which is seated a hollow box or sleeve K, constituting a support. The piston-rod B is threaded intermediate its lenffth and carries a nut L, which is adapted to )ear upon the box K when the weight, which is resting upon the pony-truck, is not lifted off the same. The base-plate A2 is provided with a gland for preventing of steam escaping from the cylinder A around the piston-rod B. Steam may be discharged into the cylinder A through the inleti e F for moving the piston A upward and lgiftling the forward end of the primary lever E, through the medium of the piston-rod B. An airduct or port is formed upon the upper ortion of the casing of the cylinder A, in whic i is positioned an escape-pipe If it is desired, a suitable exhaust may be formed upon the cylinder A, or, in the present instance, the i e F preferably constitutes not only the 1n et but also the outlet. cylinder A, the piston-rod B extends through that portion in the case of the forward cylinder which is provided with the air-duct. In other words, the ositions of the cylinders are reversed. Tie piston B of the rear cylinder is connected to a horizontal bar or rod O. The rod O is secured to the auxiliary levers E2 intermediate the rod R and the rear ends. Steam is supplied to the rear cylinder A in the same manner as it is supplied to `the front cylinder. The steam is referably su plied synchronously to all of tfie cylinders or actuating the rimary and auxiliary levers at the same time for shifting the weight simultaneously off of the pony-trucks onto the drive-wheels.

The tracks upon which an engine is running are sometimes rough, because the connection of the rails are 1n many cases so arranged that one end of a rail is raised a little above the adjoining end of another rail, as depicted at S, Fig. 1, and in such an instance if an engine is runnin at a slow speed or attempting to pull a eavy load and strike such a place it is under ordinary conditions thrown off i ts balance and the weight changes, also on a wet or slippery rail and in starting heavy trains or in running slow around heavy curves, where elevation of the track throws the engine out of proper balance and any other condition that causes engines to sli This undesirable shifting of the wei ht-ba ance is overcome by my invention, or it is possible to hug the track closely, so that a )ar from the front or rear will not throw it In the construction of the rear IOO IIO

front and Vrear by said drive-w eel trucks, of a boiler carried Y masso from its balance. The more wei lit that can be thrown upon the drivers the ess said engine is apt to slip.

It is to be noted that this invention is not intended to raise the engine or boiler, but merely the weight that rests upon the ponytruclrs, which in the type of engine depicted in Fig. l comprises two in number. Each of these pony-trucks comprises an axle, a pair of wheels, boxing, and a saddle. The drivingtrucks are also preferably constructed similarly to the orly-trucks. 'llie rear pony-truck is commonlp designated as the trailer.

While I iave specifically described in the foregoinpr description steam-actuated means for manipulating the levers and hangers, this s eciic means is not absolutely necessary or accomplishing tbe result for which they are employed, as other means may be used for swinging the primary and auxiliary levers. O

l. The combination with drive-wheel trucks, front and rear muy-trucks, a frame supported upon said rive-wheel trucks, a boiler carried by said frame, of a depending standard secured near tbe front end of Vsaid boiler, a main lever pivotally mounted upon said standard, an auxiliary lever pivotally mounted upon said boiler orframe, an intermediate lever pivotally mounted upon said frame, parallel springs mounted upon said drive-Wheel trucks and rear pony-truck,

means connecting said levers to said springs, Y and means for swinging the outer end Vof ,sindV ,Y

primary and auxiliary levers upward and thereby lifting weight oil' of said pony-truoks- 2. ln a mechanism of the class described. the combination with drive-wheel trucks, and onytrueks, a frame carried by saidrframe, said boiler rovided with a de ending standard forme near its front eng, a primary lever pivotally mounted upon said standard, auxiliary levers pivotally mounted upon said boiler or frame near its rear end, intermediateV levers pivotally mounted upon said frame between said drivewheel trucks, parallel springs positioned upon said drive-wheel trucks and the rear pony truck, means connecting the springs carried by the rear pony-truck to the frame, han ers connecting said levers to said springs, cy inders carried by said frame near the front and rear ends, pistons mounted Within said cylinders, means connecting said pistons to the outer ends of said levers, said pistons being capable of moving within said cylinders for swmping said levers and thereby removing weig it off of said pony-trucks and placing it upon the drive-wheel trucks. A

3, In a mechanism of the class described, the combination with a drive-wheel truck, a front and a rear orly-truck, a frame supported upon said rive-wheel truck, a boiler carried by said frame, of a primary and auxiliary levers pivotally mounted upon said boiler or frame, means enga in said drivewheel truck and connecting ne levers, a cylinder carried by said frame above said front pony-truck, aY piston positioned within said cylinders, said front pony-truck providedV with a saddle, a pistonrod extending through said saddle and secured to said piston, a member carried by said piston-rod and normally bearing against said saddle for supn porting the weight carried by said ponytruck, and means for synchronously swingn ing the rear ends of the auxiliary levers u ward when said piston is moved within t ie cylinder for lifting the front end of the primary lever upward.

4. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination with a drivewl1eel truck, front and rear pony-trucks, a frame positioned above the axles of said trucks, a boiler positioned above said frame, of a saddle liavmg a recess carried by said front pony-truck, springs carried by said trucks, levers and hangers connectino' said springs, a piston-rod extending throng i the saddle ofthe front pony-truck and connected to one of said levers, said piston-rod rovided with a supporting member, an adii ried by said istbn-rod and normally in engagement wit i said supportinrr member, said member normally resting in tl-ie recess of the saddle,V a cylinder provided with a piston positioned above said front pony-truck, said piston connected to said piston-rod, a cylinder positioned near the rear pon`y-truek, a piston positioned Within said last-mentioned cylinder, and a piston-rod connected to said piston and the levers contiguous to said rear pony-truck.

5. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination with drive-wheel trucks,

ustable member esrfront and rear pony-trucks, a `frame posi-VY IIO secured to said boiler near its front end, Y

springs ipositioned upon said trucks, means connectmv the springs carried by said rear ponv-true. at one end to said frame, intermediate levers ulcrumed upon said frame between said drive-wheel trucks, a primary lever ulcrumed upon said standard, auxiliary levers fulerurned upon said boiler or frame between the rear pony-truck and one of said drive-wheel trucks, a cylinder secured to said frame contiguous to said rear pony-truck, a piston provided with a piston-rod, positioned within said cylinder, said piston-rod connect ed to said auxiliar levers said front ponytruol provided wit a saddle, said trarne provided eitii a transverse beam above said saddie, a flat, metallic plate secured n on said baarn, said plate and beam provi ed witi1 registering apertures, a sleeve positioned Within the aperture of said beam, a cylinder 4 clases positioned above said late, a base-plate interposed between said at plate and cylinder, said cylinder provided with inlets and outlets, a piston positioned within said cylinder, a piston-rod rovided with a threaded por tion intermedlate its ends, and with a hooked lower end, said piston-rod connected to said piston, said primary lever provided with a recess, the hooked lower end of said pistonrod connected to said primary lever and engaging its recessed portion, a hollow box positloned upon said piston-rod and normally engaging the recessed portion of said saddle, and an adjustable member threaded upon said rod and normally bearing upon said hollow box.

6. The combination with front and rear pony-trucks, a drive-wheel truck between said front and rear pony-trucks, a frame supported upon said drive-wheel truck, a boiler positioned above said frame, of movable memers supported upon said frame: and in engagement with said drive-wheel and rear ponytruck, means carried by said frame and connected to said movable member contig"uous to said rear pony-truck for moving the member, a cylinder provided with a piston, carried by said frame contiguous to said front ony-truck, a piston-rod provided with a hoo connected to said piston, said pistonrod connected to said movable members, and means carried by said piston-rod and engaging said front pony-truck for normally supporting the weight upon said pony-truck.

7. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination with a pony-truck, of a saddle carried by said pony-truck, a frame positioned above said saddle, a cylinder carried by said frame, a piston positioned within said cylinder, a piston-rod connected to said piston and extending through said saddle, a ever in engagement with said piston-rod and adapted to press upon said saddle and capable of being moved, when said piston-rod is actuated for moving said lever, and thereby lifting weight off of said saddle.

8. A mechanism of the class described, the combination with a ponytruck provided with a saddle, a piston-rod extending through said saddle, a lever connected to said pistonrod, a member, constituting a stop, positioned upon said piston-rod, a box interposed between said stop and saddle, and capable of bein engaged by said stop for supportin WeigIit, and means for moving said piston-rod and lever and thereby lifting weight ofi of said saddle.

9. A lever-actuating device for a tractionincreasing mechanism, comprising at saddle, a frame carried contiguous to'said saddle, a cylinder carried by sald frame, a pistonpositioned within said cylinder, a iston-rod slidably mounted upon said saddle and fixedly secured to said piston, an adjustable member threaded upon said piston-rod, a box positioned upon said iston-rod between said saddle and adjusta le member, and a lever supported upon the outer end of said pistonro 10. In a mechanismof the classl described, the combination of a pony-truck provided with a saddle, a frame positioned above said saddle, a vertically-movable member` connecting said saddle and frame, means connected to said movable member and-normally pressing down upon said saddle for support` ing weirrht, and means for moving said member for Iiting weight ofi of said saddle.

11. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination with a pony-truck and a frame, of a slidable rod connecting said ponytruck and frame, a member, constitutin a stop, carried by said rod, a stationary mem er positioned upon said rod between said stop and pony-truck, the stop normally ressing upon said stationary member an ponytruck, and means for moving said rod and thereby lifting weight o of said pony-truck.

12. In a mechanism of the class described, tbe combination with drive wheel trucks, front and rear ponytrucks, a frame positioned upon the axle of said front truck, a boiler positioned abovesaid-frame, of astandard secured to said boiler near' one end, springs positioned upon said trucks, means connecting one end of one of the springs to said frame, an intermediate lever fulcrumed upon said frame, between said drive-wheel trucks, a primary lever fulcrumed upon said standard, an auxiliary lever ulcrumed upon said boiler and frame between the rear ponytruck and one of said drive-wheel trucks, means connecting all of said levers andi springs, a cylinder provided with a Lpiston carried by said frame 'contiguous to sai f'ront pony-truck, and av piston-rod connected to said piston, said piston-rod extending through a portion of said front pony-truck and con neeted at its lower end to said primary lever.

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

FRED L. S'HELDON.

Witnesses:

EMIL U. STENBERG, R. H. LUN-D.

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