US852075A - Railway-switch lock. - Google Patents

Description

FRANK MGGUIRE, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

RAILWAY-SWITCH LOCK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented April 30, 1907.

Application filed February 13,1907. Serial No. 357,172.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK MCGUIRE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Detroit, county of IVayne, State of Michigan, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Railway-Switch Locks; and I declarethe following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to a railway switch lock, and has for its object an improved device of the character named, whereby the tracks at the convergence of a switch and the main line may be set for either the side track or the main line, and are held locked in this position irrespective of whatever accident may befall the switch stand itself.

In the drawings:Figure 1, is a perspective of the lock frame and its attachments, together with the section of track, showing the convergence of the main line and a track. Fig. 2, is a sectional elevation of the track and switch mechanism, looking from right to left of Fig. 1.

1 and 2 represent the main line tracks, and 3 and 4 the side tracks, the rails 13 and 4 being pointed in the usual manner at 3" and 4. Between two ties 5 and 6 at the point where the switch is to be located, and from between whieh the earth or ballast has been removed, extends the usual rail moving bar 7, which is iixed to the points 3 and P of the rails of the side track, keeping them uniformly at the same distance from each other in the same way as the tie pieces 8 are used further from the pointed ends. In about the center of the rail moving bar 7 is bolted a block 9, through which engages the screw threaded end 1O of the locking bar 10, and Whose position is regulated by the nuts 10 on each side of the block 9. This locking bar 10 extends as far to one side of the track as switch stands of any type are usually located, and beneath the catch 11,, which is of such a size that either of the notches 10 or 10 in the bar 10 just iit about it. The bar is resilient to such a degree that aided by a supporting eye piece 28 on the end side of the rail 1, through which it passes, its tendency is to press against the bar 11, and when either notch 10 or 10 which is protected from snow and cinders by the overhanging leaf spring 29, registers with it, to slip thereabout. The outer end of the bar 10 is preferably curved somewhat to form a sliding seat 10 for the engagement of the foot 12 of the depressing rod 12, when its shift from one position to another is desired. A link 7 it connects the outer end of the rod 7 to the foot 13 of a lever, into which form the vertical rod 14 is bent. This rod extends not only through the entire housing 15, but above the same, and supports on its top end the fan 16 and fork 17.

In the position shown in Fig. 1, the switch is set to give a clear main track. If it is desired to throw in the side track, the pad-1 ck i 18 is first removed -from the holding position I through the tip 1.9" of the lever 19, which is pivoted in part at the top of the stem 12 and i is furnished further holding leverage by the engagement of the hook 19 over the edge of the top 20 of the casing. The raising of the lever 19 depresses the stem 12 until the point 19 is lowered sulliciently to clear the hole 20 through which it is protruded. The depression of the stem 12 and the consequent pressure of its point 12 upon the bearing end 10 of the bar 10, clears the entire bar from engagement of the notch 10 about the cross bar 11. The lever 19 is then swung to the left of the position shown in Fig. 1, that is, to the nearest point of the casing to the track 1, and since the stem 12 and the bar 11 are made rigid with respect to one another by the link 21, this results in swinging the hook. lever 13 to the right; this, in turn, pulls the bar 7, and with it the bar 10, which has been freed, as described, from engagement with the cross bar 11, toward the switch stand, and until the notch 1O engages about the cross bar 11. The lever 19 is then depressed, so that its point 19 projects through the hole this, in turn, releases the pressure of the rod 12 upon the bearing end 10 of the 1 rod 10, which, because of its resiliency, snaps into position with the notch 10" about the bar 11 thus locking the switch until a further positive manipulation of the switch stand mechanism again shifts the tracks.

The resilient and positive engagement of the bar 10 upwardly against the cross bar 11 makes it possible for the entire switch stand to be swept away by accident or otherwise without affecting the firmness with which the tracks are held by reason of the notched hold- 1 ing bar. The turning of the rod 14, as described, of course shifts the fan and lamp forks, so as to give the desired signal as to the condition of the switch, as in the ordinary switch stand.

that I claim is 1. A railway switch lock, having in combination with fixed rails and movable rail points, a resilient bar attached to the under side of one of the movable rails and engaging against the corresponding parts of the other rails, a blocking bar fixed. in position on one side of the track, with which said resilient bar is adapted to interlock, and means for engaging the resilient bar to permit relative movement of its interlocking portion with respect to the blocking bar and for moving the bar lengthwise of itself to accomplish. a new location of it and of the rails with which it is connected, substantially as described.

A railway switch, having in combinati on with fixed rails and movable rails, a resilient bar yieldingly engaging against the under side of said rails, being attached to one of the movable rails, a holding bar with which said bar is adapted to interlock in any one of a variety of positions, a switch stand provided with a vertically slidable stem, interconnecting means between said stem and the resilient bar, and means whereby the stem and consequently the bar may be de' flected sufficiently to permit its passage from one position to another upon the longitudinal movement of the bar under actuation imparted from said stem through said interconnecting means, substantially as described.

3. A railway switch lock, having in combination. with a fixed locking member and with the rails constituting the main and side tracks, a resilient bar engaging thereacross, being pivotally attached to the movable rails in the track and bearing closely against the lower face of each of the fixed rails, the free endof the bar being adapted to interlock with said fixed member at any one of a plurality of points, means for engaging said resilient bar to effect the release of said bar, from said fixed locking member, and means for causing said bar to move longitudinally while thus held from locking engagement to a new position of possible engagement with said fixed locking member, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof, I sign this specification in the presence of two witnesses.

FRANK MGGUIRE.

Witnesses:

H. BEACH, WV. M. SWAN.

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