US853489A - Railway-signal. - Google Patents

Description

PATBNTBD MAY 14, 1907.

P. H WENDT. RAILWAY SIGNAL. 'APPLIGATIOH IfILED 001'.19,1 906.

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No. 853,489. ,PATENTED MAY 14, 1907.

' P. H. WENDT.

I RAILWAY SIGNAL. APPLICATION FILED OCT. 19, 1906.

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FRIED II. WENDT, OF MARSI-IFIELD, WISCONSIN.

RAlLWAY-SIGNAL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 14, 1907.

Application filed October 19,1906. Serial No. 339.613.

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FRED l-I. WENDT, of M arshfiel d, lViseonsin, have invented a Hailway-Signal, of which the following is a speci iication.

This invention relates to time signals for railways, the object in view being the prevention of rear end collisions, by maintaining a certain time-headway between trains.

My object is primarily to provide a system of signals set at proper points along the track, and each of which is automatically set to danger as a train passes it, and held in that position for a certain length of time, thus preventing any subsequent train from following it until such period of time has elapsed. I aim to provide a construction of the simplest possible kind which shall operate exclusively by mechanical movements, and without the intervention of liquids, gases, electric currents, and the like, thus forming a positive mechanism with the least possible liability to get out of order.

I also aim to so construct the signal, that should any part become broken or actually get out of order, it will move into the danger position, thereby stopping the movement of trains until it has been put in properv order again.

One of the features of my construction is an index to the time-which has elapsed since the train has passed the signal, so that any subsequent train can see exactly how long the time is and can also know whether the signal is operating properly.

In my construction there is provided a depressible member adjacent to the rail of the track on the inside, in position to be depressed by the flanges of the car-wheels passing on the track, and this is connected by proper link-and-lever mechanism with Winding means for a rope sheave, t0 which is connected the operating rope, which is operated by a weight. The system is such that the sheave is wound up automatically by the train acting on the said depressible member, and after the train has passed is allowed to run down again, the time being regulated by escapement-mechanism. The semaphore or signal is connected with the operating rope or weight in such manner that it is dropped only when the mechanism has completely run down.

To enable my invention and its detailed construction to be fully understood, I have illustrated an embodiment thereof in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a sectional side-elevation of the complete apparatus. Fig. 2 is an elevation of a portion of the side wall of the signal tower to show the time indicator. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a part of the mechanism connecting the signal and indicator with the operating-rope. a larger scale of a part of the escapementmechanism, the frame-plates being shown in section. Fig. 5 and 6 are sections taken on line 5 of Fig. 4, showing the mechanism in two different positions. Fig. 7 is an elevation from the inside of the track of the trackbox, the right-hand half being shown in section through the depressible member or wheel-block. Fig. 8 is a sectional view of the same in a median plane at right-angles to that of Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is a plan view of the same. Fig. 10 is a side-elevation of the winding-mechanism and Figs. 11 and 12 are sections of the same on the planes indicated by the lines 11 and 12 respectively.

In these drawings every reference letter and numeral refers always to the same part.

In Fig. 1 there is showna railway-track comprising rails 21 and ties 22, and adjacent thereto a signaltower 23, having near its upper end a semaphore 24, which is pivoted on a pin 25, and carries the usual bullseyes 26 for signal lights. The semaphore itself constitutes no part of my present invention, and I may use any preferred kind or style which can be adapted thereto. The tower as shown is mounted on a foundation 27 and the frame of the tower is omitted so as not to obscure the essential parts which it is intended to illustrate.

At a suitable point within the tower below the semaphore is mounted. a lever 28, which is pivoted at 29 to the wall or frame of the tower, and its free end is connected by a link 30 with the semaphore in the manner shown, so that a slight movement of the lever 28 will cause the semaphore to move into the dotted line position or the reverse. This lever is shown (most clearly in Fig. 3) as pierced at an intermediate point with an eye 31 through which passes the operating rope 32, which passes from the winding-mechanism below around a sheave 33 at a certain distance above the lever 28, and thence through said eye 31, below which a weight 34 is attached thereto. This weight may preferably be in Fig. 4 is a side-view on the form of a long hollow cylinder which may be filled with dirt or sci"apinetal until it has the necessary weight, and is provided. with a bail 35 on its upper end.

The wimling-mechanism, which is connected with the track-box, is shown in the lower left-hand corner of the tower, and cornpriscs a main arbor 36, which, together with a set of secondary arbors 37, 38, 39 and 40, is mounted. to turn between a pair of frameplates 41 in the usual manner of a clocktrain.

On the arbor 36 is mounted a mechanism shown in liigs. 10 to 12, to wit: a rope-sheave or dru1n42 and a pair of ratchet- wheels 43 and 44 which are connected solidly together by dowel-pins 45; a main gear-wheel 46; and a ratchet-arm 47, which latter carries a pawl or ratchet 48, engaging the teeth of the wheel 43. The ratchet-arm 47 swings freely upon the arbor, and is-reciprocated by a link 49, having a head 50 joiu'naled on the pivot-pin 51. A leaf-spring 52 is fixed upon two pins 53 to press upon the active end of the pawl and hold it normally in engagement with the teeth of the ratchet-wheel; while a fixed pin 54 projecting from one of the frame-plates 41 in the path of the heel 55 of the pawl acts upon the latter to withdraw the point thereof from engagement with the wheel when the ratchet-arm is swung backwardly, that is to say, toward the right in Fig. 1, or toward the left in Fig. 11. It will also be observed that a certain number of teeth are cut away from the periphery of the wheel 43, which acts to render the pawl inoperative to turn the wheel after it has turned through a certain distance, which, in the resent instance, is about three-quarters of a revolution. The actual amount will, of course, depend on the size of the sheave 42 and the distance through which it is designed to raise the weight 34.

. The other ratchet-wheel 44 is o eratively connected with the gear-wheel 46 y means of a pair of pawls 56 pivoted on pins 57 on the face of the wheel 46 and engaging the teeth of the wheel 44 preferably in such mannor that they shall fall over the teeth alternately as shown. These pawls are held in engagement with the ratchetteeth by leaf springs 58, held in position by pins 59.

Connected with the gear-wheel 46 is the regulating or escapement mechanism, which consists of a regular clock-train, comprising any number of gears and pinions, there being three sets as shown in the drawing. The gear 46 engages the pinion 60 on the shaft 37 and drives the gear-wheel 61; the gear 61 meshes with the pinion 62 011 the shaft 38, and drives the gear 63 on the same shaft; and the gear 63 meshes with the pinion 64 on the shaft 39, and drives the escapement-wheel 65, which is engaged by a pallet 66 on the balance-shaft 40.

The construction of the escapement-mechanisin is peculiar, and is shown in Figs. 4 to 6. The escapmncnt-wheel has a series of radial pins 67 set at equal intervals around its periphery and a set of axially directed pins 68 in'ojecting from its lateral face. The pallet comprises a cylindrical collar or enlargen'icnt of the shaft wl'iich is hollowed out concavely on one side as shown at 69; this hollewedout portion being properly shaped to admit one of the pins 67 to pass there through only when the shaft is oscillated a su'llicient distance. A pin 70 projects radially from the collar and is engaged during each upward oscillation by one of the lateral pins 68, which gives the shaft an impetus against the weight of the balance. The balance comprises a collar 71, which is adjustably set upon the shaft 40 by a set-screw 72 and carries a radial screw-threaded pin 73 upon which is mounted a weight 74, the same being tapped to engage the threads thereof, and preferably milled on its periphery to enable it to be adjusted toward or from the axis, thereby regulating the rate of movement. A lock-nut 75 is also threaded upon the pin 73 and fixes the weight 74 when properly adjusted.

I will now describe the mechanism of the track-box by which the winding-mecl'iai'lism is operated to wind the o ')erating-rope, and will hereinafter describe more explicitly the mode of operation of the escapementmecl1- anism. The track-box and the mechanism immediately connected therewith is shown more particularly in Figs. 7, 8 and 9. The box itself is made in two halves 76, which are united along a median plane forming the plane of section in Fig. 8, and which are provided with overhanging lugs .7 7 whereby their edges are held in proper relation, and the said halves are connected together by three'or four bolts 78. On the inner side of the rail 21 the box extends above the flange thereof, around which it grips by means of the lug or extension 79, and this extension forms a tubular passage in which. reciprocates a depressible wheel-block 81. This block, as shown is provided on all four sides with a downwardly projecting flange 82, which is in'close juxtaposition to the edges of the box, whereby the opening of the latter is entirely inclosed and dust and dirt is pre TCO vented from getting inside, while leaving the wheel block free to move up and down the necessary distance. Also the upper face of this block is shown as provided with a harl dened steel wear-plate 83, which interlocks with a tongue 84 on the upper surface of the block, and is secured thereto by a pin 85. This plate has its upper surface rounded whereby the movement of wheels rapidly over-the rail will cause it to be only gradually depressed.

The track box directly below the rail has a transverse pin 36, on which turns a bellthe wheel-block by means of a pin 88.

crank lever 87, the horizontal arm of which is, as shown, connected with the lower end of The vertical arm of the lever 87 has an aperture through whichpasses the end of the rod 49 which isconnected with the ratchet-arm 47, as previously described. On the end which passes into the track-box the rod 49 has a head 89 formed thereon, and under said head a washer 90 which acts as an abutment for a spring or cushion 91 between the washer and the end of the lever 87. As herein shown the spring consists of an india-rubber block, but it may be also made of metal in any desired form, and any form of spring or cushion is comprehended within the limits of my invention, or I may omit it altogether. It will be observed that the track-box has at its upper right-hand corner, through which the rod 49 passes, a boss 92 (one-half on each of the box-halves 76) which forms an abutment for the lever 87 to limit its movement, and further for the flange ofthe rail 21 and further, in said boss are set a pair of studs 93 which form means for securing an angle-plate 94- upon the outer side of the rail and the traclobox, thereby holding the latter firmly and rigidly up to the rail. The angle-plate 94 may have a vertical flange 95 extending above the tread of the rail on the outer side, which acts as a guard to prevent any possible derailment in case the wheel-block should stick and fail to yield to the pressure thereon. Furthermore, I may provide baselugs 96 on the sides of the box which abut upon the underside of the flange and prevent any lateral wabbling of the track-b ox.

Below the bell-crank lever 87 the box is extended downwardly to form a settlingchamber 97 for dust and dirt which may enter through cracks, and which is thus prevented. from clogging up the action of the mechanism. Access is had to the interior of this chamber by a hand-hole 98 covered by a plate 99, which has ears engaging with bolts 100, as clearly shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 8. In thebottom of the chamber is formed a drain-hole 101., through which any water collecting in the box is permitted to escape. The track-box, in this embodiment of my invention, is shown as being directly opposite the signal-tower, conse uently the link-rod 49 is connected directly rom the le ver 87 to the ratchet-arm 47, with the interposition of a turn-buckle 102 to adjust its length; bu t in cases where the signal-tow er is set at a distance from the track-box along the track, it will be connected therewith. by the usual link-mechanism of which the link 49 is a suflicient representation. The link or link-mechanism is preferably inclosed in a box 103 which runs from the track-box to the tower-base. As the operation is exclusively by pulling, means are provided for restoring the "mechanism to its position after the depression of the wheel-block, this means comprises a compression-spring 104 which is mounted on the link 49 and abuts upon a washer 105 against the head 50, and a fixed abutment 106 is provided for the other end of the spring, and also forms a guide-block for the rod.

When the train passes over the track the wheels thereof will successively depress the wheel-block 81, which in turn. oscillates the lever 87, and through the link-connection 49 the ratchet-arm 47 and after each de'pres sion the said mechanism is restored to its original position by the spring 104. The passing of the train acts, therefore, to oscillate the ratchet arm 47 a number of times equal to the number of wheels passing over one rail of the track. At the start, the mechanism being run down and the semaphore in the dotted line position, the pawl 48 acts successively upon the teeth of the ratchet-wheel 43, and at each forward movement turns said wheel and the winding-sheave 42 through an interval of one tooth, said wheel being held practically stationary on the back-movement of the ratchet-arm by the pawls 56, which are connected with the regulating -mechanism, whose movement is very slow.

This continues until all of the teeth of the ratchet-wheel 43 have been acted on, and the latter together with the winding-sheave turned through its full angle up to the last tooth, and any further oscillation of the ratchet-arm will not turn the wheel 43 any farther, but will merely keep it up to its wound-up position, until such oscillation ceases. Consequently, no matter how long the train is, the mechanism cannot overwind, and it cannot begin to run down until the train is actually past. After the passage of the train the spring 104 returns the ratchetarm to its retracted position, in which the pawl 48 is thrown out of action by the pin 54, so that it no longer lies in the path of the teeth of the ratchet-wheel 43; and. the rope 32, having been wound upon the sheave 42, now starts to unwind, being actuated by the weight 34, and this continues until the rope is all unwound and the mechanism restored to its previous condition. The regulation takes place through the gear-train already mentioned, the force of the weight being transmitted to the escapement-wheel 65, and acting to turn it in the direction shown by the arrow. In this position one of the lateral pins 68 acts upon the. pin to raise the balance 74, and thus permit a pin 67 to pass through the hollowed portion 69 of the pallet, and this brings the next pin 67 against the cylindrical part of the pallet, as shown in Fig. 6. The pallet has'no'w been turned far enough to clear the pin 70, and as nothing now acts to sustain it against the weight of the balance, it drops back into the position shown in Fig. 6, permitting the pin 67 to pass raising the balance again.

all:

into the hollowed portion 69, and bringing another pin 68 against the pin 7 0, and thus The rapidity at which the oscillation thus caused will take place depends, of course, upon the setting and mass of the weight 7 4.

It is necessary in this mechanism to provide a self-starting regulating-device, which is not the case with an ordinary escapement such as is used in clocks, and it will be observed that the mechanism before described fulfils this condition, because it will always stop in the position shown in Fig. 6, in which the balance is all ready to be raised by the pressure of the pin 68 against the pin 70.

On the rope 32'is mounted a knob or other obstruction 107 which is between the pulley 33 and the lever 28. When this obstruction in its downward movement strikes the eye 31 of the lever 28 it draws the latter down- Wardly, and with it the semaphore into the dotted line position of Fig. 1, thus restoring the semaphore to the cleared position.

Furthermore, I- may provide indicating means at the sides of the tower, the construction of which means is shown in Figs. 2 and 3. To a point on the rope 32, as for instance upon the knob 107, are secured. a pair of cross-arms 1.08, which carry. on their ends a pair of markers 109, these projecting close to the innerside-Walls of the tower. Opposite these markers there are formed vertical slots 110, which may be closed by a glass plate 111, and at the sides thereof are graduations as shown, indicating the number of minutes, or any other suitable division of time, which have elapsed since the passage of the train. The markers are so placed that when the mechanism is fully wound up they will be op posite the Zero of the scale, and when entirely run down at the lowest graduation of the scale, this being, for example, marked 10, where the length of time to elapse before the release of the signalis ten minutes.

While I have hereinabove described the preferred form of my invention, I wish it understood that I do not limit myself? to any one of the particular features thereof, and I fully realize that it is capable of numerous modifications without departing from the principle thereof, and I consider such modi iications and omissions may be made without departing from the principle of my invention.

1 Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters- Patent is:

1. In a signal device, the combination of a semaphore assuming a raised position when not otherwise acted on, a winding sheave or drum, an operating cord adapted to be wound on said sheave, means operated by the passage of wheels over a trach for winding said sheave, said means being arranged to release said sheave after the passage of said wheels, mechanism regulating the rate or unwlndlng of said sheave, and a connection between. said cord and semaphore wherei by the latter is lowered when said cord is unwound.

2. A s1 gnal mechanism comprising, in comi bination, a semaphore, a winding sheave, an

raise the weight, said means being arranged to release said sheave after the passage of the train, and mechanism for regulating the time of unwinding said cord from said sheave.

3. A railway-signal comprising a semaphore naturally assuming the danger position, a depressible member in position to be depressed by the wheels passing over said track, a winding-sheave, means actuated by said depressible member for rotating said sheave and releasing it after the train" has passed, means acting to rotate said sheave in the opposite direction when released, means for regulating the rate of said last-named motion, and a connection between said sheave and said semaphore whereby the latter is moved into clearing position when said sheave is rotated in the first-named direction and moved into the opposite position when said sheave is turned in the opposite direction.

4. In a railway signal, the combination with a signal device, a winding sheave or drum operating the same, and a self-starting escapement-mecham'sm comprising a wheel having radial pins or teeth, an oscillating balance shaft, a balance weight mounted thereon, a pallet comprising a cylinder cut away concavely on one side in a manner to permit the passage of a pin of said wheel when said pallet is oscillated the necessary distance, and means on said Wheel acting on the pallet to swing said balance upwardly against gravity on the advance stroke of the pallet and releasing the pallet on. its return stroke whereby 'said pallet is free to return and is returned by the weight of the balance.

5. In a railway signal, the combination of a signal device, a winding-drum connected therewith, means actuatedljiy the passage of a train for winding said drum, means acting to unwind said drum when released,. and means for regulating the rate of unwinding said. drum comprising an escapement-wheel having radial pins on its periphery and aXially directed pins on one face thereof, a balance-shaft adjacent thereto, a pallet mounted on said balanceshaft and comprising a cylindrical member cut away concavely at one side in a manner to permit the passage of one of said pins across said pallet only when the pallet is oscillated in a forward direction, I

a balance-weight adjustably mounted on said balance-shaft in position to be raised against the action of gravity on the advancemovement of said pallet, and a radially projecting pin carried by said balance-shaft and engaging with one of said axially-directed pins at the beginning of each advance-stroke of the pallet and disengaged therefrom during the return stroke.

6. In a railway signal, the combination of a tower, a semaphore mounted therein and normally maintained in danger position, an operating cord having a weight suspended therefrom, a connection between said operating cord and semaphore adapted to move said semaphore suddenly into clearing position at a certain point in the movement of said. weight, means actuated by the passage of a train over the track for drawing on said cord to raise the said weight, said means being released after the passage of the train, and means-for regulatingthe rate of return movement of said weight after being released.

7. In a railway signal, the combination of a semaphore, a reciprocating member, means for maintaining said reciprocating member normally at one end of its travel, means actuated by the passage of a train for moving and then releasing it, means for regulating the rate of movement of said member, and means actuated by said member to move said semaphore into clearing position when it reaches the end of its return movement.

8. In a railway signal, the combination of a semaphore biased to the danger position, a vertically reciprocating weight, a connection between said semaphore and weight to move the former into clearing position when the latter is at the end of its travel, means actuated by the passage of a train over a track for raising and then releasing said weight, and means regulating the rate of return movement of said weight.

9. In a railway signal, the combination of a semaphore biased to the danger position, a lever pivotally mounted below said sema phore, a link connecting said lever and semaphore whereby the downward movement of the former causes the latter to move into clearing position, a vertically reciprocating member having a stop or dog adapted to strike said lever at the lower end of its travel and move said semaphore into clearing position, means acting to draw said member into its lowered position, means actuated by a passing train to raise and then releasesaid member, and means regulating the descent of said member. I

10. In a railway-signal, the combination of a semaphore biased to the danger position, a lever pivotally mounted below said semaphore, a link connecting said lever and semaphore whereby the downward movement of the former causes the latter to move into clearing position, a vertically reciprocating member having a stop or dog adapted to strike said lever at the lower end of its travel and move said semaphore into clearing position, means acting to draw said member into its lowered position, means actuated by a passing train to raise and then release said member, and a self starting escapementmechanism adapted to regulate the descent of said member.

1 1. In a railway-signal, the combination of a sheave, a flexible member arranged to wind thereon, means acting on said flexible member to rotate said sheave so as to unwind said member therefrom, a ratchet-wheel mounted on the axis of said sheave and connected therewith, a pawl arranged to engage the teeth of said wheel, means actuated by the passage of a train over the track to reciprocate said pawl and thereby rotate said ratchet-wheel and sheave, means acting to withdraw the pawl from the teeth of said wheel after the passage of the train, and mechanism connected with said sheave adapted to regulate the rate of unwinding thereof.

12. In a railway-signal, the combination of a sheave, a flexible member adapted to be wound thereon, means pulling on said flexible member to unwind the same, a ratchetwheel connected with said sheave, a pawl arranged to engage the teeth of said ratchetwheel, means normally holding said pawl in engagement with said ratchet-wheel, a member adapted to disengage said pawl from the ratchet-wheel on the backward movementof said pawl, means normally holding said pawl at the end of its backward movement, and a piece mounted adjacent to the track and adapted to be acted on by each wheel passing over the track, said piece being connected with said pawl in such manner as to move it forward when so acted on, and means for regulating the unwinding movement of said sheave.

13. In a railway-signal, the combination of a semaphore, a winding sheave, a flexible member connected with said sheave and having means connected therewith for pulling it so as to tend to unwind said member, a con nection between said semaphore and said member whereby said semaphore is moved into clearing position when said flexible member is at the end of its unwinding movement, a ratchet-wheel fixed to the axis of said sheave, a ratchet-arm mounted loosely on the axis of said sheave, a pawl carried by said 7 ratchet-arm and arranged to engage normally the teeth of said ratchet-wheel, a fixed member adapted to strike against said pawl on its backward movement and cause it to disengage the teeth of said wheel, a spring acting to move said ratchet-arm into the retracted position of said pawl, a track-dog adjacent to one rail of the railway-track in position to be acted on by each wheel passing over the track, a link-connection between said dog and said ratchet-arm whereby the latter is advanced each time said dog is acted on by the wheel, and regulating mechanism connected with said sheave adapted to regulate the time of unwinding said flexible member.

14. In a railway-signal, the combination of a semaphore, a windingsheave, a flexible member connected with said sheave and having means connected therewith for pulling it so asto tend to unwind said member, a connection between said semaphore and said member whereby said semaphore is moved into clearing position when said flexible member is at the end of its unwinding movement, a ratchet-wheel fixed to the axis of said sheave, a ratchet-arm mounted loosely on the axis of said sheave, a pawl carried by said ratchet-arm and arranged to engage nor mally the teeth of said ratchet-wheel, a fixed member adapted to strike against said pawl on its backward movement and cause it to disengage the teeth of said wheel, a spring acting to move said ratchet-arm into the retracted position of said pawl, a track-dog adjacent to one rail of the railway-track in position to be acted on by each wheel passing over the track, a link-connection between said dog and said ratchet-arm whereby the latter is advanced each time said dog is acted on by a wheel, a gear train having a ratchetconnection with said sheave whereby the sheave may be freely wound but engages said train on its unwinding movement, and a self-starting escapement connected with and limiting the rate of movement of said geartrain.

15. In a railway-signal, the combination of a semaphore, a winding-sheave, a flexible member connected with said sheave and having means connected therewith for pulling it so as to tend to unwind said member, a connection between said semaphore and said member whereby said semaphore is moved into clearing position when said flexible member is at the end of its unwinding movement, a ratchet-wheel fixed to the axis of said sheave, a ratchet-arm mounted loosely on the axis of said sheave, a pawl carried by said ratchet-arm and arranged to engage normally the teeth of said ratchet-wheel, a fixed member adapted to strike against said pawl on its backward movement and cause it to disengage the teeth of said wheel, a spring acting to move said ratchet-arm into the retracted position of said pawl, a track-dog adjacent to one rail of the railway-track in position to be acted on by each wheel passing over the track, a link-connection between said dog and said ratchet-arm whereby the latter is advanced each time said. dogis acted on by a wheel, a gear train having a ratchetconnection with said sheave whereby the sheave may be freely wound but engages said train on its unwinding movement, and a selfstarting escapement connected with. and lim iting therate of movement of said gear-train said escapement-mechanism comprising a wheel having a plurality of radially set pins or teeth on its periphery and a plurality of axial projections on theface thereof, an oscillating balance-shaft, a pallet mounted on said balance-shaft and comprising a cylindrical collar having one side cut away concavely so as to permit the passage of one of said pins on each forward oscillation of the pallet, a pin projecting radially from said balance-shaft in position to be engaged by one of said rejections on each forward oscillation of t 1e pallet, and a swinging balanceweight mounted on said balance-shaft in. position to be raised at each'forward oscillation of the pallet.

16. In a railway-signal, in combination with. a signal tower having one or more slots in the wall thereof, a semaphore mounted thereon and naturally maintaining itself in danger position, a vertically reciprocating member carrying a marker or markers opposite said slot or slots, means acting to draw said reciprocating member into its lowest position, a connection between said member and said semaphore to suddenly move said semaphore into clearing position when said member reaches the lower end of its travel, a track-dog, mechanism operated by said. trackdog to raise and then release said reciprocating member, and means for regulating the rate of descent of said member.

' 17. A railway-signal comprising, in combination, a tower, a semaphore mounted at the upper end thereof and balanced so as naturally to maintain itself in danger position, a lever pivoted on said tower below said semaphore, a link connecting said lever with. said semaphore whereby the depression of said lever moves the semaphore into clearing position, a winding-sheave, a flexible connection arranged to be wound on said sheave and having a weight suspended therefrom, said "flexible connection passing in juxtaposition to said lever, a projecting member carried by said flexible connection and adapted to strike and depress said lever when said weight reaches its lowermost position, a regulating gear-train having a ratchetconnection with said sheave to regulate the unwinding movement thereof, a ratchet-wheel mounted on the axis of said sheave, areciprocating pawl engaging said ratchet-wheel, a spring acting on said pawlto move it into its backward position, a fixed member acting on said pawl to disengage it from said ratchet-wheel when in said backward position, a reciprocating mem ber adjacent to the rail of the track in position to be acted on by the wheels of a car or train, and a link-connection between said re- IIO ciprocating member and said pawl whereby the latter is drawn forward when said member is moved by a car-wheel.

18. The combination of an inclosed trackbox having its upper end arranged to receive the flange of a rail and to be closed thereby, said box having an upwardly projecting tubular extension which engages over the edge of the rail-flange, a wheel-block reciprocating vertically in said extension, means for securing the opposite side of the box to the opposite edge of the flange, and mechanism within said box transmitting the vertical movement of said wheel-block in a horizontal direction.

19. The combination of an inclosed trackbox having its upper edge arranged to receive the flange of a rail and to be closed thereby, said box having an upwardly projecting tubular extension which engages over the edge of the rail-flange, a wheel-block reciprocating vertically in said extension, means for securing the opposite side of the box to the opposite edge of the flange, and a bellcrank lever mounted in said box and having a horizontal arm pivoted to the lower end of said wheel-block and a vertical arm, and a link-rod connected with said vertical arm.

20. The combination of an inclosed trackbox having its upper edge arranged to receive the flange of a rail and to be closed thereby, said box having an upwardly projecting tubular extension which engages over the edge of the rail-flange, a wheel-block reciprocating vertically in said extension, means for securing the opposite side of the box to the opposite edge of the flange, and a bell-crank lever mounted in said box and having a horizontal arm pivoted to the lower end of said wheelblock and a vertical arm, a link-rod connected to said vertical arm, and a cushion or spring inserted between said vertical arm and link-rod whereby to cushion the movement of said link-rod.

21. The combination of a railway-rail, a vertically reciprocating wheel-block mounted adjacent to the inner edge of the tread thereof, means for transmitting the vertical movement of said block in a horizontal direction, and a flange set against the opposite side of the rail-tread and projecting above the latter so as to act as a derailment-guard.

22. The combination of a track-box adapted to grip over the flange of the rail and the latter being arranged to close the top thereof, said box having further an upwardly projecting tubular extension on'one side which grips over the edge of the flange, and a wheel block reciprocating vertically in said tubular extension and having its upper edge adjacent to the inner side of the rail-tread.

23. The combination of a track-box adapted to grip over the flange of the rail and the latter being arranged to close the top thereof, said box having further an upwardly projecting tubular extension on one side which grips over the edge of the flange, a wheelblock reciprocating vertically in said tubular extension and having its upper edge adjacent to the inner side of the rail-tre ad, a bell-crank lever pivoted in said box below the rail and having a horizontal arm pivoted to the lower end of said wheel-block and a vertical arm, a horizontal link-rod reciprocating through the wall of said box and connected with said vertical arm, and 'a clamping-plate secured to the outer edge of said box and gripping the outer edge of the rail-flange.

24. The combination of a track-box adapted to grip over the flange of the rail and the latter being arranged to close the top thereof, said box having further an upwardly pro jecting tubular extension on one side which grips over the edge of the flange, a wheelblock reciprocating vertically in said tubular extension and having its upper edge adjacent to the inner side of the rail-tread, a bell-crank lever pivoted in said box below the rail and having a horizontal arm pivoted to the lower end of said wheel-block and a vertical arm, a horizontal link-rod reciprocating through the wall of said box and connected with said vertical arm, a clamping-plate secured to the outer edge of said box and gripping the outer edge of the rail-flange, a bellcrank lever pivoted in said box below the rail and having a horizontal arm pivoted to the lower end of said wheel-block and a vertical arm, a horizontal link-rod reciprocating through the wall of said box and connected with said ver tical arm, and a clamping-plate secured to the outer edge of said box and gripping the outer edge of the rail-flange, said clampingplate having a vertical flange projecting upwardly against the outer side of the railtread and above the latter whereby to act as a wheel-guard.

25. The combination of a completely inclosed track-box having means for clamping it firmly below the flange of a T-rail whereby said flange acts as a closure for its upper side, a member projecting outside said box adj a cent to said rail in position to be acted on by a car-wheel passing over the rail, andmechanism inside said box for transmitting the motion of said member..

26. The combination of a track-box divided in a median plane into two halves, means for securing said halves together, means for securing said box firmly to the flange of a rail and below the latter, said box having a tubular extension gripping over the flange on one side, a depressible wheelblock vertically reciprocating in said tubular extension, a bell-crank lever pivoted in said box below the rail and having a horizontal arm vided in a median. plane into two halves, means for securing said halves together, means for securing said boX firmly to the flange of a rail and below the latter, said box having a tubular extension gripping over the flange on one side, a depressible wheel-block vertically reciprocating in said tubular extension, a bell-crank lever pivoted in said box below the rail and having-a horizontal arm pivoted to said wheel-block, a dust chamber below said lever, said box having a handhole on one side of said chamber, and a coverplate covering said hand-hole.

28. The combination of a track-box divided in a median plane into two halves, means for securing said halves together,

a drain-hole at the lower end thereof.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto slgned my name 111 presence of two witnesses.

FRED H. VVENDT.

Witnesses:

CHARLES I-"IALM, ELI OROILEAU.

, pivoted to said wheel-block, said box havingv

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