US902866A - Railway-switch. - Google Patents

Description

J. M. FALLBR.

RAILWAY swn'on.

Patented Nov. 3, 1908. 4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

J. M. FALLBR.

RAILWAY SWITCH.

J. M. FALLER. RAILWAY SWITCH. APPLIUATION FILED ma. 2. 190a.

Patented Nov. 3, 1908.

4 BHEETBSKBET 3.

LBR.

PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP AR. 2, 1908. 902,866. Patented Nov. 3, 1908. 4 EEEEEEEEEEEE 4.

Cum

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN M. FALLER, OF JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA.

RAILWAY- SWITUH.

citizen of the United States, residing at Jacksonville, in the county of Duvalhnd State of Florida, have invented certain new and useful lin 'irovements in Railway- Switches, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings;

My invention relates to improvements in railway switches and operating devices therefor.

One object of the invention i. to provide a safety switch which must be manually opened to permit a train to pass from the main track to the siding or branch, and which will he autrmiatically closed after the train has cleared it so that a second train will continue past the switch upon the main track, thus avoiding the danger of wrecks caused. by one train running into another on a siding where the switch is left open through carelessness.

Another object of the invention is to provide a switchof this character with an improved means whereby it may be manually opened and whereby it will be held open by track devices actuated by the cars of the train.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved track device which is operated by passing cars and which may .be employed for operating a switch, signal or the like.

WVith the ahove and other objects in View, the invention consists of the novel features of construction and the combination and a1- rnngemen't of devices hereinafter fully de scribed and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a plan view of a portion of a main track and a siding,,showing the appli cation of my improved switchand track device thereto; F 1g. 2 is an enlarged detail plan view of portions of the switch points and the manual operating devices therefor; Fig.3 is a vertical section taken on the plane ii'idicated by the line 3-3 in Fig. 2; Fig. t is an enlarged side elevation of a portion of the track device for holding the switch open; Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are vertical sectional views taken respectively on the planes indicated by the lines 5-5, 6-6, and 7'( in Fi 4; and Fig. 8 is a detail vertical longitu inal Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed March 2, 1908.

'Pet'ented Nov; 3, 1:908.

Serial No. 419,841.

section through the inner ends of the raised or movable track rails.

In the drawings 1 and 2 denote the rails of the main track, 3 and 4 the rails of the side track or branch, and 5 and 6 the movable switch points. These points are connected, adjacent to their free ends, by a tie rod 7 and by an operating rod or bar 8 which extends beneath one of the track rails and between two of the cross ties .I. The inner portion of the bar 8 curries attaching brackets 8 secured to the switch points 5, 6, as clearly shown in Fig. 3, and its outer end is bifurcated to receive one end of n slidnble operating rod 10, a pivot bolt 11 uniting said ends of the parts 8, 10. The rod 10 extends at right angles to the track and is slidably mounted in a rectangular frame 12 secured by bolts 13 upon the extended portions of two of the ties 9. The rod 10 is 5 )ring actuated in a directii'in to cause it to close the switch, by a coil spring it which surrounds it and is confined between one of the cross pieces of the frame 12 and unad- 'ustablc stop collar or sleeve 15 which is locked in an adjusted position bye nut 16 engaged 3vith the threaded portion of said rod.- The outer end of the rod 10slides in an intermediate cross piece of the frame 12 and has secured upon its bifurcated block or head 17 in which is pivoted one end of a link 18. This link has pivoted in its other bifurcated end, an upright hand lever-'19 which is fulcrumed upon the bolt 20 arranged in hearing brackets 21 upon the outer end of the frame 12.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the spring 14 exerts its energy to close the switch and that when it is desired to open the same it is necessary to operate the hand lever 19 in a direction that will slide the rod 10 inwardly or toward the switch points.

22 denotes a bell crank pivoted at its angle on a vertical pivot 23 arranged in a bracket. 24 upon the frame 12. One arm 25 of the bell crank is bifurcated to receive the collar 15 and in its spaced portions are formed longitudinalslots 26 to receive pivot studs 27 projecting in opposite directions from the collar 15. The other arm 28 of the bell crank 22 carries a transverse pivot 29, the ends of which project. into longitudinal slots 30 formed in a bifurcated block 31 secured upon one end of a rod 32.

ends of the rails 33, 34 and in the opposite side faces of the lower portion of the block For the purpose of retaining the switch} in its open position after it has been manually opened and during the time a train is passing through it, I 'rovidethe track device shown more clear y in Figs. 4 to 8, inelusive of the drawings, which device operates and controls the rod 32. Said track device comprises two raised track rails 33, 34 which are arranged end to end and included in the track of the siding. The rails 33, 34 have their outer ends suitably hinged to the track rails 4 so that they can swing vertically and their opposing ln'ner ends are connected together for simultaneous movement by gear segments 35, 36 formed on the ends of blocks 37, 38 in the form of castings which fit the meeting ends of the rails 33, 34 and are secured thereto by transverse bolts 39. The blocks or castings 37, 38 have their lower ends extended beneath the inner 38 are recesses which'form horizontal flanges 41. To the latter is secured a U-shaped bolt or clip 42 which depends from the block 38 and loosely receives the curved free end of an arm 43 secured to a horizontal shaft or pivot 44 mounted for rotation in suitable bearings 45 upon longitudinal sleepers or beams 46 arranged beneath the cross ties. Fixed to the shaft or pivot 44, outside of the vertical plane of the raised or movable track rails is an arm 47 which is pivoted in the bifurcated end of the rod 32 or a rod which is suitably connected to said rod 32.

The outer ends of the raised tracli rails SE 34 are pivoted or hinged to the track rails 4 by securing to the meeting ends of said ails, by belts or the like 48, cast blocks 49, 50, as more clearly shown in Figs. 4 and The binge blocks 50 upon the rails 33, 34 are formed at their ends with spaced projecting ears 5] to engage the outer side faces of the hinge blocks 49 to which latter they are connected by transverse pivot bolts 52.

The track rails 33, 34 are adapted to be depressed by a car or cars passing over them and they are held elevated or off of the cross ties arranged beneath them on the sleepers 46, by spring devices arranged at suitable intervals between their ends. One of these spring devices is clearly shown in Figs. 4 and (i and consists of a plate 53 secured by bolts 54 to the bottom of one of said raised rails and having, depending from the center of its under face, a guide stud 55 which slides in a vertical bore or opening 5t; formed in a cast frame or block 7-7 which is arranged upon one of the sleepers 46 and between two of the cross ties 9 and has flanges or portions 58 which are bolted to said ties and sleeper. A coil spring 59 surrounds the stud or projection '55 and has its upper end bearing against the bottom of the plate and its lower end arrai'iged in an enlarged upper portion of the bore 56 and bearing upon a shoulder 60 formed in said bore by enlarging its upper end. lt will be seen that these spring devices will hold the vertically movable rails 33, 34 in their elevated position shown in Fig. 4 and that when a train passes over them they will be moved downwardly into contact with the cross ties 9.

p In order to prevent the raised or movable rails 33, 34 from s reading or moving away from the track rai 3, I provide, at suitable intervals between said rails, tie rods or links 61 which have bifurcated ends pivotally con nected to eye bolts 62, 63 arranged, respectively, in the track rails 3 and the raised rails 33. 34. as clearly shown in Figs. .1, (S and 7. While in Fig. 1 of the drawings l have shown the track device arranged in the siding some distance from the main line, t will be understood that it may be located as close to the switch as may be found prar 'i'eal.

The operation ol the invention is as lollows. The spring 1-1 will hold the switrh normally in its closed position so that trains may pass in either direction upon the main. track without operating said switr-h. \Vhrn it is desired to .enter the siding, thev lover I!) must be manually operated to move the switch points 5.. 6 to their open position and the lever must be held until the train enters the siding and its locomotive passes upon the raised track rails 33. 1-4. .\s long a said rails 33. iii are depressed by the ltlt'tlmotive or one ot' the (hrs of the train. the switrhu'ill be held open Flllt't the drprossion of said rails will cause the bell r-rnnlc fornu-d by the lovers 43. 4T to actuate tho rod 2;) so that the sloltod head ll on the latter will hold the bell crank 2" in the position whirl: it assumes when the hand lover if) i operated to open the switrb. The instant the raised rails 3 34 are released, their springderives will elevate them and the rod will be moved in lllt opposite direction so as to release the bell rranlt 522. whereupon the spring 14 closes the switch. It. will thus be seen that the invention will dispense with the necessity of the switch being held open n'mnually until the entire train passes through the same and will obviate the duogorof the swilrb being lrll open through carelessness or torgi-tl'nlnrss. Consequently it will be impossible for wrm'lts' to occur owing lo the trains passing: through open switches and into sidino's already oorupied by other trains. I

While I have shown and dosrribt-d in delail the preferred embrnliinout ol my invon tion, it will be understood that I do not. wish to be limited to the precise construction set forth and that various changes in the form, proportion, and minor details may'bo rosorted to without departing l lfllll the spirit thus described my invention what movement while a train is passing through,

the switch.

2. The combination with a main line and a siding, of a switch, a slidable operating rod for the switch, a spring foractuatin said rod in one direction to close theswitch, a lever for actuating said rod in the opposite direction to open the switch, a bell crank having one arm operatively connected to said rod, a track device gincluding raised track rails, said raised track rails and a loose connection between said operating rod and the other arm of the bell crank.

3. The combination with a main line and a siding, of a switch, a slidable operating rod for the switch, a spring for actuating said rod in one direction to close the switch, a

lever for actuating said rod in the opposite direction to open the switch, a bell crank havmg one arm operatively connected to said rod, a track device including raised.

track rails, a second bell crank having one arm actuated by said track rails, and an operating rod connected to the other arm of the last mentioned bell crank and having a loose connection with the second arm of the first mentioned bell crank.

4. The combination with a main line and a siding, of a switch, a slidable operating rod for the switch, a spring for actuatin said rod in one direction to close the switch, a lever for actuating said rod in the opposite direction to open the switch, a bell crank having one arm operativelliy connected to said rod, a track device inclu ing raised track rails arranged in the siding, said raised track rails having their outer ends hingedl connected to the'stationary track rails an their inner ends provided with meshing gear segments, spring devices for elevating said raised track rails, a yoke dependin from the inner end of one of the raiser? track rails, a horizontal shaft, an arm upon the latter loosely engaged with said yoke, a second arm upon said shaft, a rod. pivoted to. the'last mentioned arm, and a loose connection between said rod and the secondarm of said bell crank.

The combination with stationary track rails, of verticallymovable track rails having their outer ends hingedly connected to an operating rod actuated by,

ing their outer en the stationary ones and-their inner ends provided with meshing gear segments, sprin devices -for elevating said movable rails, and an actuating device operated by said movable track rails.

6. The combination with stationary track rails, of verticall ,movable track rails havd s hingedly connected to the stationary ones and their inner endsprovided with meshing gear segments, spri devices foielevati said movable trac rails, a bell crank aving one arm operatively connected to track rails, and an operating rod connected to the other arm of the bell crank.

7. The combination with stations rails, of vertically movable track rails havmg their outer ends hingedly connected to the stationary ones and their inner ends provided with meshing gear segments, spri devices for elevating the movable trac rails, a yoke depending from the inner end of one of the movable track rails ahorizontal shaft, an arm upon said shaft; and loosely enga ed with said yoke, a second arm upon said sl aft, and an operating rod connected to the second mentioned arm.

8. The combination of a track having vertically movable track rails arran ed in one of its sides, and tie rods or li s between the movable rails and the rails of the other side,

9. The combination of a track having vertically movable track rails arranged in one of its sides, eye bolts in the movable rails trac track one of the movable and the rails of the other side of the track,

and links pivotally connecting said eye bolts.

10. The combination of a track having a vertically movable track rail, a casi arranged beneath the movable track rai and having a vertical openin a guide stud depending from the mova le track rail and slidablc,in an opening in the casin and a s ring surrounding said stud for, e evating t e movable track rail.

11. The combination of a track having a vertically movable rail, a late secured to the base'of the movable rail and having a depending stud, a casing arranged beneath themovable rail and having a vertical bore or opening to receive said stud, said bore or opening being formed with a shoulder, and a coil spring surrounding the stud and confined between said shoulder and said late.

In testimony whereof I hereunto a my signature in the presence of two witnesses i JOHN M. FALLER. Witnesses:

R. G. PEMBERTON, WM- E. To'r'r.

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