US923702A - Interlocking switch and signal system. - Google Patents

Description

E x PosT; INTERLOUKING $WITGH AND SIGNAL SYSTEM. APPLIUATIO'N FILED JULY 29. 1908.

923,702. Patented June 1,1909.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

vwentor E. K. POST. INTBRLOGK'ING SWITCH AND SIGNAL SYSTEM.

' APPLICATION FILED JULY 29. 1908. r 923,702. Patented June 1,1909.

SHEETS-SHEET 2.

attozmup E. K. POST.

INTERLOGKING swmm AND smmx. SYSTEM.

APPLIOATION FILED JULY 29, 1908.

Patented June 1,1909.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

\ i f /0/ g x v 48 I02 I 49 i: 7 A

JLMM

E. K. POST. INTERLOOKING SWITCH AND SIGNAL SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 29, 1908.

Patented June 1, 1909.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

v E. K. POST. INTERLOGKING SWITCH AND $IGNAL SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 29. 1908. 923,702. Patented June 1, 1909. 6 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

A ll 0 S IM);

E. K. POST.

INTERLOOKING SWITCH AND SIGNAL SYSTEM.

APPLIOATION FILED JULY 29. 1908. 923,702., Patented June 1. 1909.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

ilhll f.

earns rn rns r eiei icia,

E'RNEST K. POST, OlWHARRISBURG PENNSYLVANIA.

4 Specification of Letters I- atent.

mzr'nnnocmne SWITCH AND sienAL siz's'rnni.

Patented June 1; 19 09;

Application filed July 29, 1908. V Serial No. 445,957.

' 10 and signals by which distinctive a vantages of the power Operated systems are Obtained with reater simplicity and ease of manipulation t an in the present mechanical systems.

A further. purpose of my invention is to 1-5 safeguard the use of asingle mechanical lever for unlocking, throwing andloc'king a switch or signal, rendering this practice safe.

A further pui ose of my inventionis to make useof han operated controlling levers of extremely easy'throw in place of the looking and'unlock ing levers normally used in a mechanical interlocking system, which lock-' ing levers, largely because of; the detector barsthrown thereby,a're the hardest leversv in the toWertothroW.

' A further pur ose of iny invention is to v tY Q ld, all use of etectorbars.

, further purpose of my invention is to apply to mechanical systems electric detector. looking similar to that now used on power systems, in order to prevent unlocking and throwing of a switchwhile a train is upon it or upon ts track within fouling, distance.

. A. further purpose of my invention is to -elcc trically lock. and unlock a mechanical switch or signal controlling lever in the tower and thus to electrically control the movement of a mechanical switch or signal lover, thus electrically and reliably performing the work of the detector bai'.

A further purpose of mv invention is to 5 switch and signal throwing make iiieclianica quicker by reducing the-energy required to operate, replacinga heavy locking lever by a distance in one direction as compared with the prcsentlong throwlorwaid and back of the mechanical locking lover.

A further purpose of my invention is to avoid the use of facingv point lock levers.

A further purpose of my invention isto do awa with the independent intermediate memechanical interlocking switch or signal systerns.

A fui'tl'ier pur ose of my invention is to tran fer the mac me locking of mechanical t1rns iron the operating levers to con-so tion ng levers, reducing the strain and conseeuently the size and practicallyeliminating the lost motion by more direct connectron;

A further pur ose of my invention is to reduce the num er of locking rods in the interlocking machine and the cross locking thereof by eliminating theseparate locking levers previously requiring representation there. i 7- A further purpose of my invention is to reduce the sp es in the tower required for the controlling and operating mechanism of mechanical switch and signal systems Alurther pur ose of my invention is to remove the mac iine looking for hand operated interlocking switch systems from direct action upon the mechanical switch or signal levers and their connections, thus reducing the size of the locking rods and cross lock ing. s

A further purpose of my invention is to permit the use of miniature machine locking etween operating levers or their controlling 'mechanisms for mechanicallyoperated switch and signal systems.

A further purpose of my invention is to apply the machine inter-locking system between levers, 1ndication magnets, quick switches and other connections normally used so in a tower in power interlocking systems.

'to the electric control ofmcchanical switch ine'ch anism.

A further purpose of my invention is to make use of the ininiz'iturc machine interlocking,, circuit controllers, quick switches and indication magnets which have normally been used in the operationof power inter- I 45 controlling lever and moving it but a short chanical-coiinections between the tower and l the switch now normally used for separately 5 locking and unlocking t e switch or signal in locking, to the control of mechanically operated switches and signals, both as regards iii-t electric substitution for detector bars and indication lockingm A further purpose of my invention is to apply the power type interlocking lever coin- 1) etc, normally used in the tower of a power,

interlockin switch and signal system, to the locking and releasing of a mechanical switch or signal lever either i) direct connection thereto or through its link pgpther governing means.

fl furthcr purpose of' my ii'ivcution is to provide electrical coiu'iections and mechanism for a mechanical switch or signal lever indicating the facial locking movement in normal and reverse positions. This is used as a lock upon tbs controlling lever.

A further purpose my invention is to avoid the. weakness of present mechanical interlocking swiiich ind signal systcms, the

l possibility of is king thcsc svstcms in normal or reverse position wl n the indication of the switch or signal lever shows the. reverse or normal position.

A. further purpose of my invention is to avoid the incomplete raucasc of tho locking mechanism. sometimes occurring with the facing point locks used in mechanical iutcrlocking switch systems and to avoid also the delay and expense oi obtaining and using extra thick pipe for the nicchanical switch throwing connections now required to protect against buckling oi the pipe in such cases.

A, further puriosc of 1. y invsution is to mechanically loc the link of a mechanical switch or signal lover in, its {positions at the ever by means,

extremities of throw of the opcratsd from a powcratypc interlocking lover complete which acts as a controlling lever for tlic mechanical lover.

For the urpose of distinguishing between s m'tcli an 1. signal systems in which the actual throwing of the switch is done by manrial labor from those in which the actual operation of the switch or signal, While directed by the movement of a lever is actually eflccted by electricity, compressed air or other application of power through suitablc connections valve movements formed, 1 have designated tbs former, that is, the ac trial manual "throw, by tho term mechanical or mechanically operated who their it refer to the manually operated lcvcr alone by which tho switch or signal is thrown, or to the on tirs system, or to other parts of the system than the manually opcrated lever, such as tho connections of. the switch or signal so tbroim; and 'l have designated the latter 'systcm, that is the one making use of a source of po'tvcij' as electricity or compressed air, as power operated, and, refer thereby or by the term power either to the lever itself or to all or a portion of the system so included as may readily be seen by the contcxt. In the art as it at present exists the distinction between these two is clear and this is particularly true because of the (lillc1 out types of lever, connections and interlocking ordinarily used. Thus the mechanical lever ordinarily used is of a long and owerful type operating over a quadrant, atchcd at each end of the quadrant by a latch which is s ringset and" which is relsased by a smal lever grasped Within the i band that grasps the handle of the mechansaw/o2 ical lover; tho conncctions with tho switch are formed by levers and pipes by moans of: which the throwing of the mechanical lcvcr actually produces the movement of thc switch or signal; the machine locking used with the mechanical lever is composed of relatively largo bars capable of \vithstamb ing the strain that can be brought upon the interlocking by the full arm or body throw of the operator and these bars arc normally connected to the link mcchanism. lCvidently the term interlocking in the claims is broad enough to cover both this interlocking and miniature interlocking unless one is spocilicallynamed or otherwise indicated by the context. T he power lover on the other hand i a very short lever and is capablc ol opcratlon by hand or wrist movement. as opposed to arm or body movcmcnt. in mostof its forms it acts more directly upon its interlocking than in the case of the mechanical lever, giving room {or loss lost motion, and it can make use of very much smaller bars in thc interlocking system because they do not have to Withstand anywhere nearly much possible strain. T ho power lcvcr niakcs connections which cause some sourcc of power, as clcctricity or coinprcsscd fluid, to be applied to the actual physical movement of the switch or signal. is-relieved of the duty of physically moving the switch cl signal, the resistance to its movement is very much less than that present in the mechanical lcvcr and tho shortcr leverage and smaller lcvcrs and miniature interlocking already rcl'crrcd to arc pcr1nissible. Most of the manufacturcrs of powcr machines have. taken advantage of the smaller and more compact construction permissible to makothc connection with the interlocking more direct than is tho case in the standard mechanical intcrlocking. thus reducing lost molioir The switclurs and signals tlicmsclvcs uscd in tho powcr opcralion dillcr from the suillcbcs and signals uscd in thc nicchanical opcration in the application of the power lhcrcto, and in this Way only.

ln practical application to railway switch and signal work sonic powcr systems have directly connected rotatable or sliding lovers, used for forming tbc councctions for the throw of the switch or signal, with the interlocking mechanism, by moans of a rack or segment sccurcd to the rotating shaft or by a cam groove in the sliding shaft; and the dct-cctor and release locking engage directly with a segment or plate upon the shaft by means of elctrically operated latches.

In what I have designated as the powertypo lever it is permissible to make use of a lever having all or as many as may be desired of the characteristics of a power lever to which I have referredabovc, in so far as concerns the rotatable, rocking or sliding char- As the. lover ,tion of the'power lever insofar as its form,

operation and control are concerned, but differin g from this power lever in that the actual cation and track circuit detector conditions mg possible the use of a substantial duplica- I l l 1 operation of the switch or signal is not effected by )ower set in motion by connections upon the ever itself as in the power systems but is delegated to a manually operated lever known here as a mechanical lever, The latter is controlled by the power type lever which permits but does not; cause the movo ment of the switch or signal. I recognize that the lever made use of in connection with this mechanical lever need not resemble the present recognized forms of power lever and that variations may be made not only in the lever itself but in the interlocking to which it is connected and in the detector and release locling thereof.

Each power-type lever is intended to be and preferably is most desirably individual to one mechanical lever and likewise each mechanical lever is preferably individual to one controllinglever. This is particularly desirable because of the advantage and in many cases necessity for direct locking oi? the mechanical lever (through the lever itself or, its link) by the controlling lover. If there be not direct locking, each section of whatever indirect means is provided gives opportunity for lost motion and increases the cost and the space occupied. v i

if the controlling lever and mechanical lever be not individual each to the other, one of the main advantages of my invention is lost in that the controlling lever ceases to be capable of being itself controlled by the indiof the switch or signal which is to be thrown by the mechanical lever; i. a, the controlling lever wholly loscsits utility so faras the dc vice to be thrown by the mechanical lcvoris concerned and controls instead with respect to some outside separate and distinct mechanism or condition only. Thus, for a mechanicalswitch lever, my controlling lever is primarily intended to control with. respect to the condition of the track (detector) or position of the switch and to take care of other conditions and the position of other mechane isms, such, for example, as signals, through the interlocking connected with the controlling lever. Again, my mechanical lever where used for signal oieration is intended primarily to be controlledby its controlling lever with respect to the position or condition of have had to choose between two the signal and the position or condition of other mechanisms is taken care of through the interlocking of the controlling lover.

" Notwithstanding that-one ofthcmain advantagesof my invention may be so lost if the controlling leverand mechanical lever do not bear the close individual relation which I have pointed out, some advantages of my inor witha controlling lever, responding to the position or condition of a group'of switches, for example, and governing a corresponding gboup of mechanical levers. W iatever the arrangement, among the several indicated above, and whether the entire advantage of my invention he thus attained or not, it is possible to secure a control of switch or signal mechanical levers hitherto impossible, and to secure it with a single system of interlocking and that miniature, permitting association with-power le' vers and interlocking therewith of safety and reduction of expense, space and complexity.

Where I have referred to the power lever complete, I indicate such a lever has coni I ncctions for miniature interlocking, and such detector vand release locking and quick switch control as may be necessary for its use, differing for switch and signal use in this, and which forms connections which apply power to switch or signal operation. Vi here have referred to power type interlocking lover coin lete, l indicate a over of such a general 0 laracter having connections for miniature interlocking, and, if necessary, for

indication and release locking and a quickswitch, but lacking the connections hr which the )owcr is set in operati n. In neithcrcase do wish to be understood as specifying that the lever, the miniature interlocking with which it is to be connected, the detector locking, the release looking or the standard tyies nor indeed need they be of any present nownand recognizedtypes provi ed they perform the same function, 1 I do not purpose in this a plication covering or attempting to cover tlie variousnietln ods of or apparatus now known for the control of a ground switch lever in which mechanism within the tower is made to release a check or stop at a designated switch which is then fine to be thrown by hand. I

In the'use of interlocking switches and signals the railway companies of the country systems. One of these, the power system, involves the necessity forinstallation of compression or other ower plants as well as the distribution of'the operative parts overa considerwith in crease;

, quick switch need be of the present recognizedable area. All of these outside ofthe tower are necessarily somewhat exposed with the consequent opportunity for mechanical in jury and destruction, all at enormous expense. The other, the mechanically operated, here called mechanical, interlocking switch and signal system has complete separate locking and operating connections between the tower and the switch or signal, which. are unreliable be. f-itllSG of incomplete protection against failure to throw, partial unlocking and wrongful locking. From the tower standpoint these mechanical switches and signals are cumbrous, occupy a great deal of space and are extremely diilicult to handle. One of the highest types of power interlocking switch and signal system as recognized generally by its use upon the most important railroads and terminals, comprises in its switch mechanism, which may be taken as typical of the mechanism useful for throwing either switches or signals, a complete tower equipment of small controlling levers connected by miniature machine interlocking and carries contact switches directly upon the lever shaft for the control of the power operating mechanism, among them quick switches, to switch the indication contacts to normal or reverse position immediately after the lever passes the center of its throw in either direction, and indication magnets preventing continuous complete throw of the lover in either direction and acting to release the lever, to permit completion of its movement in either direction, actuated by a detector track circuit and by the indication contacts made after the locking at the extremities of normal and reverse throw of the switch. The quick switch is cilective to direct the current to the proper indication magnet.

In close proximity to the track switch a motor is used, in the particular form under description, a cylinder controlled by a slide valve. Electrical connections controlled by the lever in the tower throw the current upon a normal, reverse or locking electromagnet according as it .is desired to more the slide valve so as to move the switch to normal or reverse position, and to lock or unlock the same.

The piston rod, moved by the piston in the cylinder, has some play in either direction without eliecting movement of the switch, this play being made use of to lock and unlock the switch and, at the extremities of its movement in each direction, to make contacts for the indication magnets. The intermediate portion of the movement of the piston rod throws the switch.

The prcsenttcndency toward placing the towers closer together and particularly so in proximity to terminals is bringing a larger and larger percentage of the switches and signals to be controlled within the physical reach (800 feet) of mechanical switches should they be made reliable in operation. in the best mechanical system in use at n'escnt, the switch is thrown by a large hand 1 lever, link locked at each end of its movement, and by a system of intermediate levers and pipe conlwctions. A second separate lever in the tower and a second set oi lever and pipe connections act upon one arm 01 a 1 three-arm bell crank beside the track hose other two arms are connected respectively to the detector bar which is operated by means of links or slides and to the locking and un locking mechanism by which the switch is locked and held in normal or reverso position. Should the switch tail to throw with movement of the switch 0 )crating lever, as might occur through breakage or buckling ol the pipe, the locking mechanism would engage with the same opening from which it had just been disengaged and the switch would be locked in the original position while the lever in the tower would indicate the opposite position. No practical means has yet been applied to mechanical interlocking switch or signal systems which reliably guards against the failure oi all movement of the switch in such instances. Furthermore, in view oi the lost motion, sepa rate connections from the mechanical locking and unlocking lc\"ers, this lever has sometimes bccn thrown without looking the switch.

The use of the detector bar is quite unsatisfactory and is growing more so. The rail heads are getting wider and wider while the wheel faces are remaining the same. The detector bar is necessarily on the outside of the rail. The rails may be worn and where the train hugs the other rail at the time the wheel faces may fail. to reach. the detector bar. Sliding of the rails laterally under strain has a similar ell'ect. The detector bars, now required to be oi fifty feet length, make the locking and unlocking levers extremely hard to throw. The length of the cars is constantly increasing. I Among signal engineers the fact that switches frequently thrown under trains by reason of the faihire of the detector bar is notorious. Railroads have sought to protect against this by the use of an electric lock which is, however, so unsatisfactory that they have been unable to omit the detector bars and have had to rely upon both of these means for mechanical interlocking switches, notwithstanding that neither one is sure.

It further consists of other novel features ofconstruction, all; as will be hereinafter fully set forth. I

v Figure 1 represents a view, "art in elevation, part p an and part iagrannnatic, showing a construction embodying one form of my invention. Fig. 2 represents a pertion of Fig. 1 in fragmentary end elevation.

Figs. 3 and 4 represent a portion of the structure set out in Fig. 1 in diflerent positions. Fig. 5 represents an end elevation, partly 'in section, showing various positions and portions of controlling mechanisms embodying my invention. Fig. 6 represents in detail section, a portion of-the controlling inecham" 18111111 Fig. 1. 10.

diagrammatic form, of t ecombination in the same board of the controlling and mterlocking mechanisms used by me and the operating and controlling mechanism used on a modern power interlocking system, the levers being interpolated inthe same frame.

Fig. 11 shows an elevation of a power type machineinterlocking lever having a different direction of movement from that shownin the other figures but suitable'for use with interlocking systems. Fig. '12 shows an "ele vation of an interlocking controlling lever and mechanical lever applied to the ,.opera tion of a signal.

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in the figures.

Referring to the drawings :1 designates a lever which I have illustrated as of a charac- I well known described.

described are normally horizontal though it Will be recognized that the direction of the rod has nothing to do with the invention, or indeed with the use of the power interlocking lever complete, a part of which has just been The portion 6, which I have shown asa continuation of the rod 2, may be in line therewith, or at any angle thereto and is quite frequently vertically disposed in relation thereto, for economy of space or other convenience. locking systems are normally located switches known as circuit controllers of which I make use of two, 7 and 8- respectively. It also carries quick switches 9 and 10, which are in the art and which move together, wliich I have, therefore, not illustrated in great detail. in Fig.

The iixed contacts coo mating with these switches are two in numlier for each switch and I have designated them as 11, 12, 13, 14, 1b, 16; 17 andlR respectively. Preferably upon the same shaft 6 are located quadrants 19 and 20 of the well known type, having Upon itin power inter- These are best seen segments or lugs 21, 22 and 23, 24 respectively for engagement with the upper and.

lower members 25 and 26 of indication latches mounted upon armature stems 27 oi armature 28. The parts are alike for each of theseiinlication magnets and this dcscrip tion will, therefore, sullice.

'l he operation of the power intcrlockim lever complete is so well known that it will not be necessary to describe it in detail further than to say that the reverse and normal indication magnets operate alternately to p'e'r- .mit movement of the lever in the two direc tions initially and at the limit of movement and that the quick switch acts as a distributconnected by means of the other switches.

mg switch for the circuits which areto be Applying'this power type interlocking lever, I

complete to my. inventionmfvhile I have preferred to use a positive me'chanically'open ated stop betweenthis power type interlock-ingle ver complete and my hand lever I recognize that an electrically operated stop might 'bemade use of in a great variety of forms, for example of the type of the indicationmagnet, using a quadrant upon the end of the link or by an electrically operated plunger fitting into apertures'in, a segment end of link with or without indication to show the engagement of'the electricdock. The electrical connections in such case would be made very simple by switches of the type shown at 7, 11, 12. However, I prefer-to make use of the mechanically operated lock and will describe at this point one form of this lock; that illustrated in Fig. 1 in one position; and in other positions in Figs. 3 and 4. I make use of segment 29 upon the rod 2, or any extension or connection'therewith, operating upon a rack or rod 30 which is shown guided at 31 and terminating at 32 ina thread. This is connected to a lug 33havin pivotal connection at 34 with a double with and arms 36 and 37 for engagement with the faces 38 and 39 of an aperture formed in extension 40 of link 41, said link'41.being otherwise ofthe general type used-in con-' nection with mechanical lever and attached to rock about pivot 42 to permit the passage therein of a slide'43 droppe 44 and '45, at theextremities of a quadrant segment 46 about which the lever 47 moves.

d into the offsets The connections of slide 43 are attached to a,

rod 48 spring-pressed at 49 and controlled-by hand latch 50. I 1

In Figs. 1 and 2 the switch i's-shown in normal position which in these views corresponds to the ri hthand position of lever 1.

Fig. 4 shows t e mechanical lever, link and.

locking thrust extension 40 in reverse position while in Fig. 3 the mechanical lever is 4 shown in normal position, but with the thrust lock hell crank out ofen agement with-the locking extension 40. T is is the position just before the lever i has been sent home to its final position and corresponds to the position of the parts at the final release of the rod 2 by the corresponding indication magnet.

Referring to Fig. 1 and tracing the move ment of the track operating parts and position of the circuits, which are shown con ventionnlly, as are various other ol the parts used in carrying out my invention, 51 desig natesa'lug pivoted at 52 to the extension of the mechanitml lever shown as pivoted at point 53. A rod 54 connects lug, 5'}. to a slide 55 hearing the switch lockingmeans and suitably guided so as to give a straight line movement. It will he understood that the connections which I have indicated are conventionalisins merely and that in fact there would. ordinarily be various clninges or" direction interposed between the mechanical lever and the slide.

The slide 55 carries oppositely directed pins 56 and 57 which perform 1 ching function at the extremities of the movement of the slide, engaging with the apertures 58 and 5%), respectively, in the transversely movable locking rod 80 suitably guided and movable with the connection 61 which is attached to the movable points 62 and 63 of the switch. A stud 64-, during; the locking movement, at each extremity of stroke moves parallel with one of the tacos 65 or 66 of an escapeinent crank 67 pivoted at 68. This escapenicnt crank is, however, itself rocked by stud 64 during that portion of the movement of the slide 55 when unlocking and locking are not tubing place. The stud has acted nierclji as a bar to our uncut of the cscapeincnt by tom-hing one face as (35 thereof, thou parallel to its line of movement, until the slide passes the unlocking position, when it ac tively engages with the escapeinent and throws it to the position where the other face, as 66 is parallel to the line of moveincn t. The escapement rocks between these two limits defined by parallelism of the two faces, one at each limit with the. slide, this.

rocking being controlled absolutely by the stud which. prevents such movement except when it is; causiin, the same. The movement of the escapement crank causes movement of the switch points by'ineans of rod and bar 70. The final. .rnoveinent of the slide in ea cli direction makes contacts be tween 72 and 73 or 74 and 75 by means of block 71, insulated from the slide.

A dit'l'erencc of potential is normally maintained between the track rails by means of battery 76 and the insulation 77 of rails about the switch. This is effective to cause current to pass through the magnet 78 hold ing armature 7?? closed a. switch to unite the parts 8() and 81 of a circuit containin' battery 82. The difference of potential is reduced and the switch armature at 79 is indicated.

opened when the rails are. short eireuited by the presence of a train upon any portion of the tracll hin the section to he proto. This track relay and short circuit opera i to talic the place of :1. detector bur, is of course well known, as also are the as. of a slide and locking mints and contacts but they have not previously been uvnilniilc end so! viccnble tor rucchanicnl switch operation. in the position shown in Figs. l and the lever is in noituud postion. in operation it is thrown to the middle position putting the double brli crnnh in the you 1' here the arm Z 7 in Fig. I), i'

further more 40, and .'-.'iic.='e nrin S lil there the quit-l; with 15 at. N and it; connected. "this i; itinl mm'cnicut cannot takeplace unto: the proper indicniion naggnet #15 or e is ene'u'ized. Y circuits are driven, the i would have to be cncr 4' l Ii no nucleon-d,

insuring, freedom of tract. Home patiou.

In the circuit him have snot-cu contacts :2 "it c to Ed while contacts 73 and j levied by wires and 38 with l'rrHshr-s V i :l .l Connection hi) to ll and lo are coninw-ied til) is branclmd nt 5 whose coniplemw'tr' with the indie: with the former a to IR, and [5 l6. he switches are er-y as.

elm coni'iected :1

0: inc moi: a 54 5! c. I, A

and redocln.

lever I, lliliz'li iercr is free tn be operated and n iron; nocnnd t E, which l. switch levers,

. the way. ihm

prefer to must now ti is, to its reverse ilk shown at the right in Fig. 5. "final movement of the lever 1 is not possibie uni he slide 55 bur-z completed movement to tot-hing; position as it depends uncn connections i'nade between the 2' 2 and 75 by means of block '71.

Yi ith the on" shown and Eerie: completion. of t e t 74 and 75 the lever to position.

A further chcci trolling iever hey: ists in the i boil crank ear sitiori shown in. Eess the mech.

switch in the position middle pii sitlon the met 51%} and permits hcyoi'id the middle the double in the pn in race 85 nnentirely over in between contacts to be given corresponding to the switch calthe parts and t e movement of't e. lever 1 and mechanical lever 47' from reverse to switches, signal controllin particular form of connection between the ing openings 109 and 1.10 and guided at 111 is subjcct tot I throwing this lever, in this case because of the staggerin of the pins.

.an operating lever for a power system and levers 99, 100 may beany oft e types which switch lever there shown is only one of many in its-top a guide for the'moveniont of the rod ed uponarm 105 and secu'redto rotate with the reverse position and the latch has been dropped to permit the link to raise to its extreme position. I g

A movement of the lever 1 beyond the middle position throws the quick switch, locks the mechanical lever and releases lockingin the locking frame to permit the signal tion. The completion of this throw 0 the mechanical lever places the parts in the same position, except that it is reversed, as that previously oceu led in the normal osition' of normal is a repetition of themovement from normal .to-reverse, using corresponding other connections.

InFig. 5 I have shown lever rods 93 and 94 for switch operation, one a controlling lever for a mechanical switch lever, and the other I have indicated, switch controllin for mechanical switches, switch operating "or power for mechanical signals or signal operating or power signals.

In order to indicate very elearly that the controlling leverof Fig. 1 and the mechanical mechanical forms as well as the electrical forms which can .be used, I have shown two, other forms, onein Figs. 7 and 8 and-the other in Fig. 9. Taking u the form in Figs. 7 and 8, I may pivot a red as 101', or otherwise'attach itito the end of a link 102 making 2. Thus I mayfform atransverse slot 103 the einfperrnitting travel, of a pin 104 mountrod 2, until the lever 1 reaches the middle position when the lever 47 must be thrown and latched to rdck the link102 until pin 104 has traversed slot 106 and can be turned into slot 107 to complete the movement of lever 1. In the form sho wn in Fig. .9 a rod 108 havconnected as at 112 to move with the lever 47. The pins 1.13, 114 engage with the several openings to lock the operatin lever in its several osi'tionsq- This form iIso is not lie possibility of relocking without In Fig. 10 have illustrated the use side by i side with the same machine interlocking, of a controlling lever 1 and rod 2 with connections for controlling a mechanical. lever by means ofa connection 30 wide power operating lever and connections which I have illustrated. conventionally and in which the switch 115 is thrown by an air cylinder and, piston whose valve is'worked bymagnets 116,117 and locked by magnet 118 energized by;connections 1,18, 119,120, the same protection being ha'd by track circuit detec'tor magnet 121 and indication or release locking magnets 122, 123 and their connec, tlons as has already been described. The same interlocking machine 18 shown in use having locking bars 124, 125 and cross locking 126 for the lever 1 withits rod 2 as for" lever 127 and its rod 128.

In Fig' 11 I have shown a lever 129 of the longitudinally movable type of well known use having lock operating slot 130 and the 8.?

usual lugs 131-, 132, 133 or any suitable arrangement ot'these parts. I have illustrated here one form ofconnection b which the v leversmay be locked together andimproper movement prevented. The rod, 1.34

line with pin 136 or aperture 137' in linewith P111 138, but not to permit pin 136 to engage in aperture 137 nor pin 138 to engage in aperture 135 because of the staggering of the pins. The rod 134 isguided at 139.

In 12 I have-shown a lever 140 moving rod 141 having interlocking 142, indication magnet 143an'd any suitable contacts 144,-

145 to engage with rings upon insulation 146,

the mating'contacts not being here shown. I have illustratedthis in order to bring out the utility ofsuch a controlling lever for use in connectionwith a si nal operating mechanical lever'and have s iown the same con:

nection between the rod 141. and lever 47 as in Fig. l'by segment 29, rod 30 guided at 31 and the stop for the link extension shown. I have connected lever 47 by rod 147 with a conventional means for throwing a signal 148 through bell lever 149' and rod 150.

It will be understood that my illustration. of the various forms oi" locks shown, the severa] movements of lovers to which myinvem tion' is here adapted, and the combinations by whiehl amnble to make use of control ling levers for mechanical switches or signals or both, in the same interlocking combinations as power operating levers for-switches and signals, andthat permissibly miniature,

is for the purpose of showing the independence of my broad idea of these (inferences as well as for the purpose of showing those meritorious forms of my invention,

Where I refer in the claims to switch or signal and kindred expressions it will be un- I derstood that Iam including also structures where both occur, and a switch or signal in is 90 i moved by the link to bring aperture in i by the mechanical low r to lock unlock and therefor, and a mechanical lever and conncc-' l tions for the other switch rising the some miniature interlocking.

3. In an interlocking switch or signal systern, a power interlocking lever complete with its connections and embodying miniature machine interlocking, in. combination with a power type interlocking lever, making use, of the same miniature machine interlocking, and a mechanical lever and connections controlled by the power type interlocking lever.

4. In an interlocking switch system, a power interlocking lever complete with switch connections, miniature machine interlocking, electrical track circuit detector looking, indication locking and power switch operation, in. combination with a power type interlocking lever complete, having electrical track circuit detector and indication locking, making use of the said miniature machine interlocking, and e mechanicalswitch lever and connections.

5. In: an interlocking switch system, a power interlocking lever complete and mechine interlocking, electrical track. circuit detector and indication locking, in combination witl'i a power type interlocking lever complete, also having electrical track circuit detector and indication locking using the same machine interlocking, at mechanical lever, switch connections therefrom, and a lock for said mechanical lover controlled by the position of the power type interlocking lever.

In an interlocking switch system, a power interlocking; lover and connections complete, embodying: miniature int erlockiug, electrical track detector zmd indication locking and power switch operation in combination. with a power type inlerltni-kingr lever, using the same machine interlocl-ring us the power interlocking lever, and lcr-l'ricnl 1 rock circuit detector and indication hacking tlicre for, mechanical lover, a lock for the hand ievcr at each end of its throw, :1 slide moved throw the s *itvll and niche the indication connections, oini. means p('l':li('(l h the power tyne le er i'o'r setting the lock in the mechanncl lever.

7. In an interlocking switch systennn pair of interlocking levers, electrical track circuit detector control for each, electrical indication looking for each, common machine intorlocking for the two lovers, two switches, 11. power switch opcrnl inn mcclmuisin operated by one of said levers, and a mcclmuicnl switch operating mechanism conlrollod by the other said lever.

8. In an interlocking switch system, a power type controlling lever, truck circuit detector locking therefor, indication locking therefor, an interlocking nmchinc connected tl'ierewith, and a mechanical switch lever dircctly controlled thereby.

9. In an interlocking switch system, a

power type controlling: lever, track circuit detector locking therefor, indication locking therefor, an interlocking mnchine connected therewith, a mechanical switch lever, :1 lock therefor, end a connection between the lock and the controlling lever.

10. In an interlocking switch system, a power type controlling lever, truck circuit detector locking tluirclor, indication locking;

therefor, an interlockinnmachine connected therewith, a mechanical switch lover, a link therefor, a lock engaging the link at the cX- tremities of its oscillation, and a connection between the lock and the controlling lever.

11. In an interlocking switch system, a, controlling lover of the type of the power interlocking switch or signal lever complete having track circuit detector and indication locking, machine interlocking connected therewith, a mechanical switch lover, a lock therefor, and a meclntnical connection between the controlling lever and the lock to lock the switch lever in either position and to revent complete movcmrnit olthe controlling lever unless there has been movement of the switch lever.

12. In a device of the -ln1r1i -lcr described, a mechanical switch or signal lover, an individual lock therefor, requiring movement of the mechanical lever for complete movement of the look, a controlling; lever individual. to the mechanical lever, and a conncction between the controllinglever and the lock.

13. In an interlocking switch or signal system, :1 controlling lever, machine intcrlocking thvretm, a mechanical switch or signal lever controlled therefrom, electrical control for the controlling lover, a lock for the mechanical lover, requiring full move-12o moved fully in either direction without comlete movement and locking of the mechanical lever.

14. In an interlocking system, a controlling lever, electrical locking therefor dependent upon the condition of the track,

machine interlocking connected therewith,

system, a controlling lever, a lock connectedtherewith, a mechanical lever, and a block connected with said mechanical lever permitting partial movement of the lock but preventing full movement of the lock until the mechanical lever has been fully moved.

16. In awswitch or signal system, a pair of levers, a block movable with one of said levers, a lock engaging with said block and capable of locking and releasing movement without movement of said block, but incapable of complete 'inovement and relocking without movement of said block, and a connection between the lock and that lever not connected with the block.

17. In a switch or signal system, a plurality of levers, a rod operative with movement of one of said levers, aT-crank movable with said rod, a link connected with the other of said levers, a slide operating in said link oscillating it at the beginning and looking in the extremities 'of the throw of said lever, and an extension of said link, having faces engaging respectively with two arms of the T-crank at theextremities of the rocking of the link, and faces engaging to prevent full movement of the T-crank exce )t at the extremities of the movement of the ink.

18. In a switch system, a mechanical switch lever, a switch movable thereby, con nections therebetween, a controlling lever, connections between the controlling lever and mechanical switch lever, requiring movement of the controlling lever to permit movement of the switch lever, and a track circuit a detector lock for said controlling lever.

19. In a switch or si nal system, a switch or signal, a mechanical ever and connections for throwing the same, alock for said me;

chanical lever, a controlling lever, connections from said controlling lever to said mechanical lever, and a track circuit detector lock for said controlling lever.

.20. A mechanically operated interlocking switch or signal system comprising a plurality of mechanical levers, latches and latch levers thciiel'or, switches or signals, connections between them andthe levers, a controlling lever for each mechanical lever and individual thereto, and machine interlocking governing the movement of the controlling levers. i

21. A mechanically operated interlocking six itch or signal system comprising a single.

mechanical lever for throwing and locking each s itch or signal, a latch and latch lever for each mechanical lever, a controlling lever for each mechanical lever and individual thereto, and an interlocking systenrlor the controlling levers.

22. A mechanically operated switch or signal system comprising a single mechanical lever for throwing and locking each switch or signal, latch and latch lever mechanism for each mechanical lever, the switches or signals and connections thereto, a controlling lever for each mechanical lever, and an electrical track circuit detector lock for each controlling lever.

A mechanical switch or si nal system comprising a single mechanica lever forthrowing and locking each switch ors'ignal, a controlling lever for each mechanical lever, a connection between each controlling lever and its mechanical lever requiring partial movement of the controlling lever before permitting movement ol' the mechanical lever and requiring complete movement and locking of the mechanical lever before completion of movement of the controlling lever.

24. A mechanical switch or signal system comprising a single mechanical lever for throwing and locking each switch or signal, a controlling lever for each mechanical lever, a connection between each controlling lever and its mechanical lever requiring partial. movement of the controlling lever before permitting movement of the mechanical lever and requiring complete movement and locking of the mechanical lever bel'ore complete movement of the controlling lever, and a track circuit detector lock for each controlling lever.

25. A mechanical switch or signal system 26. A mechanical switch system comprising the required switches, a single mec anical lever for locking and throwing each switch, conm-ctions thercbetween, a controlling lever l or each mechanical lever, machine interlocking between the controlling levers,

or signal, a mechanical lever and ronnrw lions been thronnand locked.

tom, a switch or signal lever l'or locking, un-

' rant a slide .in said link and upon said quanindi ation locking for each controlling lever. and locking ci'mnections hetneen each ion- 1 trollinglever and its mechanical lei-er.

ln 2'!) interlocking swit h and si-s'nal stein, a plurality of switches or signals. a single inerlnmical lever and connections for thron inn; and lflt king; each switch or r.ignal. a. etnitrolling lever for each inerhani al on-r. locking onnections between the c-nnf lling and mechanical levers. and lllll"lllll, int: r 1 lo king lie-tween the controlling l ers.

238. In a switch or signal SyrHPlll, a s\\ li"l\ therel'or, a link rocking ahoni the kpzadrant ol' the lever, a slide engaging with the oxtremities ol' the quadrant to lo k the lever, a lock for said link. a controlling lever, ron ertions between the controllingl-'.'-'\ er and the i lock for the link, and nun-lime interlocking); l connected with said conti olling lever.

29. In a switch system, a switch, a mei chanical lever and connections for locking, l unlocking and throwing the same. a locking mechanism for said mechanical lever, a lock i lor said locking mechanism, and means in eluding an indication circuit tor preventing I the operation ol' the lo k until the s\\ itch has 30. In a snit h or signal system, a switch or signal, a .nit-chanical lever and connections 1 for looking, unlocking: and throwing the same, a link, a slide locking the position. of the mechanical lever, a lock for said link, and means upon said link lor preventing its lo -ki ing until the mechanical ever has moved its entire throw in one direction and the slide has locked the lever.

31. lo an interlocking switch or signal syslocking and throwing the switch or signal, a quadrant l'or said lever, a link in proximity to the qi ailrant, a slide movin; in said link a nd engaging; the extremities of the quadrant to latch the same, aT-crank, means l or moving; said "i'crank, and a hlock connected to inove at the same time as the link and carrying laces engaging witlrthe ends cl arms of the T-crank in approximate line with the pivot point thereof when the link is in its extreme positions and engaging with the sides of arms of the T-erank at intermediate positions of the link.

3l.- 1n a switch operating system, a switch, a mechanical lever and connections for lockinn", unlocking and throwing the same, a i quadrant in ])l'UXll1llt to said mechanical lo ver, a link pivoted in proximity to said (pindrant to lock the same at ils c :tremities, a controlling lever, indication and track cir cuit locks for said lever, and a locking con nection between said controlling; lever and link permitting the movement of the lever to lock the link in either extremity of the'latters throw, but preventing complete move in a zjreement with the position ol' the hill inc.

.nrchanism for the switch or signal.

:34. in a switch system, a snitch, a nae uhanical lever connected therewith. connew li ns tor Ulil( (l\lli1, l'lllOWlllg' and locking: the

same with movement ol the le\ er, a lock lor the lever, an auxiliar lock thereforv a coin trolling lever for the mechanical lever and :t switch indication. lock. for the controlling lever, preventing l'ull movement theieol uni il the relocking is complete,

35. ln a switch or signal svstcm, anirchanical lever, a switch or signal, connections hetween the lever and switch or signal for onlocking, throwing; and locking the same, a

lock for the lever an auxilia'r lock for the l lever look, a ;ontroilin lever o ierai nr said i n n auxiliary lock, and an electrical track circuit detector lock for said controlling lea er 36. in a switch and signal system, a switch or signal, a mechanical lever and connections for operating the same, a controlling; lever and connections for said mechanical lever and individual thereto and a machine interlocking; connected with one of said leversv 37, in a switch or signal system, a switch or signal, a mechanical lever and coiniections 'l'or operating the same, a lock l'or said mechanical lever, a direct thrust lock for said. lever lock, and a controlling; level lor moving said direct thrust lock.

38. in a switch system, a switch, a single mechanical lever for unlocking, throwing and locking; the some, a controlling lever, connections therefrom for controlling the move ment of the mechanical lever and indicai ion, and track circuit control for saidcontrolling lever,

39. In a switch and signal s stein, a switch or signal-La nieclntnical lever and connections for unlocking, tl'n'owing and lockiin, the same, a controlling lever for controlling the movement of the mechanical lever, and track circuit detector locking means for said controlling lever.

40. in a switch and signal system, a switch or signal, a mechanical lever and connections for operating the same, a controlling lever, connections for controllim movement of the IllGU-l'llllllCitl lever, and, a liraok detector circuit for controlling the movement of the con trol ling lever.

4}. in a switch. system, a switch, a mechanical lever and connections for unlocking,

too

controlling lever between extremities of the switch movement until the locking of the switch is complete.

- 42. In a switch and signalsystem, a switch, a mechanical leverand connections for throwing the same, asignal, a mechanical lever for throwing the signal, a controlling lever each for the switch and signal levers, con

neotions between the controlling levers and the mechanicallevers, and common machine interlocking for the controlling levers.

4 3. In a switch and signalsystem, a switch, a mechanical lever and connections for operating the same, a signal, amec-hanical lever and connections for operating it, a controlling lever for each of the mechanical levers, coin nections between the controlling levers and the mechanical levers controlled thereby, cbmmon machine interlockingbctween the controlling levers, and electric protective control for both controlling levers.

- 44. In a switch and signal system, a switch, a mechanical lever and. connections for throwing the same, a controlling lever for said mechanical lever and individual thereto, asignal lever, a machine interlocking common to the switch controlling and signal levers.

45. A mechanically operated switcl'i lever and connections, and a controlling lever. therefor in combination with track circuitdetector locking mechanism for the controlling lever.

46. A switch, a mechanical throwing and locking lever and m han1sin therelor, a controlling lever itself governed by the position of the switch, and electrical means for locking the controlling lever.

47. A switch, a locking, throwing and unlocking slide therefor, indication connections made at the extremities .of the movement of the slide, a mechanical lever and conne tions for o crating the slide, a controlling lever and ocking mechanism for the controlling lever controlled by the indication connections. 48. In a switch system, a switch, a mechanical lever and connections for unlocking,

throwing and locking the same, a-rotatable controlling lever, indication and'track circuit detector locking mechanism therefor, locking mechanism for the mecl'ianical lever, intcrlocking mechanism connected with said controlling lever,'and a mechanically operated lock for the lever locking mechanism thrown by the controlling lever.

49. A mechanical interlocking switch or signal system comprising a plurality of mechanical levers, the switches or signals and connections to be operated by the mcchanr' ic-al levers, a rotatable controlling lover 'lor each mechanical lever and individual thereto, and miniature machine interlocking govcrning the movement of the controlling levers.

51. A mechanically operated switch or si'g-- nal system comprising a single mechanically operated lever for operating each switch or signal, the switches or signals and connections thereto, a controlling lever for each mcchzmical lever, and electrical indication. locking for each controlling lever controlled by the position of the switch or signal so mechanically operated.

52. A mechanical switch or signal system comprising a single mechanical lever for operating each switch or signal, a controlling lever loreach mechanical lever, moving in one direction onlyl'or complete movement of the mechanical lever in one direction, and a connection between each controlling lever and its mechanical lever requiring partial movcmcnt ol' the controlling lever before permitting DlOVCIl'lQlllJ of the mechanical lever and rcquirmg complete movement and locking of the mechanical lever before complete movement in a. single direction of the controlling lever.

direction for the reverse movement of the mechanical lover, a connection between each controlling lever and its n'iecl'ianlcal levcr requiring partial. movement of the controlling lcver before permitting movement of the mechanical lever in either direction and requiring complete movement and looking of the mechanical lover before complete movementof the controlling lever, and an electrical track circuit detector lock for each switch controlling lever.

54. A switch or signal, a mechanical lever for operating the same, a link and latch controlling the n'iovcment of said lever, a direct thrust lock for said link, a controlling lever, and means operated by the controlling lever for engaging the direct thrust lock with the link.

A mechanical interlocking switch. or signal system comprising a single mechanical lever for operating each switch or signal, an individual controlling lever for each mechanical lever, and a miniature interlocking system for the controlling levers.

56, A mechanical interlocking switch or signal system comprising a single mechanical lever for operating each switch or si 'nal, an individual powcr type controlling lever" for each mechanical lever, and an interlocking system for the controlling levers.

"07. In a nn-clninicnl switch or Slfll'lill systcm, a switch, :1 'mcchzinical lovcr for o'pcrult 1 rcct thrust lock for said link, incans lor oporziting the lock for rhc link and machinc interlocking for the link lock opcrziting moans,

58. hi u nxcclninicnl switch or 'lllll for o 'icrating thc s-Linic, it link and latch mechanism controlling the inorcnicnt of thc lover, a direct thrust lock for said link, niczins for operating the lock for the link, and nmchine interlocking for thc. link lock spin-inking means. r

59. In an intcrlocking switch or Sll12tlSVS- tem, a power lever coinplctc, a switch or sicmil, operating nicclnmisin ll1i(l conncctiuns for moving the same, track dctcctor and inclination looking, it powcr typc lever complete of the samefdrni as the power lcvcr complete, a mechanical switch or signal levor, and means for controlling the mcchrrnical Yer according to the position. of the wwcr type lever.

60. In an intcrlocldn" witch or signal s tom, a power lever coinplctc with connoctions, and the switch or signal, in conil inm tion with a power typo lcvcr. ii incclntniclil lever, 1r switch or signal and connections Inc chanionlly controlled by the power ty pc lawn and interlocking hetwccn the pnwcr and power type levers.

61. In an intcrlocliing switch. or signal sysicin, a power type. \j-ontrollingr lcvor, an interlocking machine conncctcd thorcwiih, and a wimchnnica-l lever individual thcrcto and controlled thcrcby to cll'cct thc moveniont of tlic switch or signal rcsgccti'rcly.

G2. In an interlocking switch system, at

power type controlling lcv' r, machinev iniccloclnn conncclcd tin-*rr-vntli, n HIC-IlIZUlILHl switch lcvor, n lHCli thew-vim, cm cljioiis mt'wccn tho lock and thccontrolh l:- or

track circuit dctcclor Mill indir: directly controlling thrniovcincni' powcr ty pc lcvcr.

62% in an 'i'iltPllUClilh," switch or signal system, a controlling lcvcn imichinc interlocking conncctcd tlMlPVvllll, it llai('ll11ll(&l switch-or sigrnul lcvcr individual to the controlling lover, a lock for thc nnw-hn-nical lover, and a conncctiun betw'cmi lhc loci: and the controllinglever.

[64. A mechanical interlocking switch or signal system comprising single rncolmnicnl l l i l l l l i l l l i l l lc'vcr for throwing and locking -"ll(ll switch 1 lcvcis. tom, :1 switch or signal. zimechanical lorcr (5:3. in an intcrlocliiw' switch r sic'nul syslom, two switclws o'r signals :r rirclnuiirul lovcr rind connocli ns l'or orcrntinc; cm' i switch or signal, :in individual romrolhng lcx'cr for cnch nicclnuii-"zal lcrciy and inlcrl0('l(l3 i1llOtWOiI] thc controlling lcrcis.

Fall. in an llllklluk'llll'lg switch and sisrim a switch :i signal lhcniior, :i mcclnmical lcrcr for thc switch an individual \"Klllll'OllillQ lcrcr for thonwclninicsil law-c1", 1 signal lcvcr and intcrlockin l cl\\ccii thc conlrollinr; lcrcr and signal l; vcr.

137. in an ll'llvl'l i;'l\lnfjf switch and signal, it switch, it signal. :1- mcclmnical lcrcr lor ca ch a controlling lcvcr and incchnniczil lock {or caich nicclninicnl lc'rcr mid inlca loching' liclwccn the controlling l-srcrs.

(32%. in switch o rcrriiing' nicchiinis n, :1v incclnuihnl switch ihrowinglcrcr, :i 1i trolling lcvcr of powcr txpn thcrclor, :rnd mcchnnical lorlii-hc' hclwwn lhc lwo lcrcr 6? in an lilltl'llHlilllll swllcli and signal stom, :i switch. a inwhnnicnl lcvcr and ('ull- 'nc ..-ti -ns ll).$()1 lillilif llic switch, :1 controllint: lcvcr lor tli mcclninicnl lcrcr, truck cii-- cuit dctcc 'oi' locking and indiculion locleinc lcrur and connccti-ms in! (){Mi'llllllj lhc s rnzil, clccl'rlc loci-um" l'or (hc powcr lcwr rind inlcrlochni lictrccn tho powcr lcrgr and com rolling lcvcr:

70. in an inlcrlocldirr swim-h and signal srstcin, a inccluinicnl switch lcvcr, :1 conlruh ling); lcxcr for said switch lower. a. signal lmcr, track dctccl'ormhl ilhli'xailinli locking l'or said controlling icrcn clc lricul incl-Ling l'or tho signal lcvcr and inlcrlorl-zingr hctwccn lho two lQYllS.

'71. ln rm in (I'llll'lxlllfi signal s -uslcm, l\\'u signals :l gl-o'wcr intcrlochinc' lcrcr complctc for onc signal, ininiziturc iniorloching' thcrcfor, and :1 mc-Jlmniczrl lcrcr :tnd conncctions for the othcr signal using thc snmc miniaturo lllllllJ-nfllillifl'.

' ERNEST li. PUST. \lilncsscs:

\sn. (in nit \l'mnnnsicm. l? A. N EW'LON;

Jon

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