US923803A - Railway-switch-operating mechanism. - Google Patents

Description

. BLAGKWOOD.

RAILWAY SWITGH OPERATING MEGHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 16, 1908. 923,803 Patented June 8, 1909.

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J. P. BLAGKWOOD.

RAILWAY SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 16, 1908.

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entrain rarnnr JOHN P. BLAOKWOOD, OF ATHENS, OHIO, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO FRANK S. HOOKER, O1 LANCASTER, OHIO.

RAILWAY-SW11CH-OPEBA'IIN G ME CHANISIH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed June 16, 1908.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Jenn P. Brnonwoon, a citizen of the Jnited States, residing at fithens, in the county of Athens and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Railway-Switch- Uperating Mechanism, of which the followis a specification.

My invention relates to the improvement of switch operating mechanism and the objects of my invention are to provide improved means for locking the switch rails of a railway track in an open or closed position; to provide improved means for automatically closing a switch by the approach oi a train; to provide improved means for resetting the switch and its operating mechanism by hand and to produce other improvements the details of which will be 101"(3 fully pointed out hereinafter. These objects i accomplish in the manner illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which----- Figure 1 is a plan view of a section of railway showing my improved switch operating mechanism in position for operation, Fig. 1 is a horizontal longitudinal section of cable clamping member which I employ in the manner hereinafter described and which is shown in plan in Fig. 1 of the drawing, Fig. 2 is a plan view of portions of the track and switch rails showing the position of the switch rail operating mechanism when the main track is cleared, Fig. 3 is a sectional view on line 00a" of Fig. 1, Fig. 4: is an enlarged view partly in section and partly in side elevation of the locking mechanism, Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the switch rod locking device showing the position of the parts when the locking pin is raised, Fig. 6 is a transverse section on line z .z of Fig. 5, Fig. 7 is a central longitudinal section through the trip mechanism, Fig. 8 is a transverse section on line a-a of Fig. 7, Fig. 9 is an enlarged section on line 5-4) of Fig. 2, Fig. 10 is a transverse section on line c-c of Fig. 7, and Fig. 11 is a detail view in perspective of a yoke-shaped body which I employ in the manner hereinafter described.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

1 represent the main track rails of a rail- 1 15 passes a locking pin 1 way and 2 and 3 the tapering switch rails thereof which may be of the usual construction and arrangement. At the side of the track, I provide a suitable form of upright switch stand 1 having a pivoted operating lever 5. FJith the lower end of this lever is pivotally connected one end of a switch rod section 6, said switch rod section having its inner end portion formed with a squared enlargement 6'"- which enlarged portion is provided with an end socket 6 7 represents a switch connecting and operating rod section, the outer end of which is adapted as shown more clearly in Fig. 4 of the drawing, to be inserted and held in the socket 6 of the rod 6.

8 represents an angular lever which at the junction of these arms is pivoted, as shown at 9, to a boss 10 which rises from the upper side of the switch rod section 6. The shorter arm of the lever S is pivoted at 11 to the outer end of a switch operating rod 12, the latter extending, as shown, beneath one of the main track rails 1 and being suitably connected with the switch rail 2. The longer arm of the lever 8 is adapted when the switch rail 2 is closed against the main track rail, to lie beneath a keeper projection 6 on the upper side of the rod enlargement G and the outer end portion of said lever arm is provided, as shown more clearly in F ig. 1- 01 the drawing, with an upright tubular termination 13 and this tubular member has its upper end spirally inc-lined or recessed as indicated at 1% in Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawing. Fixed within the tubular boss or projection 13 is the lower portion of a vertical tube member 15 which rises above said projection 13.

16 represents a cap-like locking member which comprises a casing body 16 having an internal horizontal partition 16 near its lower end and having formed on its outer side and lower end portion a pulley or sheave wheel 16 The casing thus formed is adapted, shown, to surround the tube member 15, the lower side of the partition 16 bearing upon the spirally inclined upper surface of the boss 13. Through the tube 7, this locking pin being adapted, as shown, to extend downward through an opening 6 in the upper portion of the rod enlargement 6 thence into a vertical opening 7 in the outer end portion of the rod 7. The pin 17 has its upper threaded end passing through a disk 18 which forms a top for the cap body 16, said threaded pin end having a nut 19 screwed on its outer end. In the upper end of the casing 16 and against the underside of the cap plate 18 is a follower 20 between which and the upper side of the partition 16 is provided a coiled spring 21, which exerts an upward pressure on the cap body 16.

Upon an extension of one of the railway ties 22, I provide a lever engaging device or catch, which comprises a fixed plate 23 having a transverse upper side shoulder 2% from which said plate inclines forwardly and downwardly. The hook-like plate thus formed has its outer end formed with upwardly projecting parallel lugs 23 between which is pivoted the rear portion of a catch member 25, the outer end portion of which has its underside inclined upwardly as shown more clearly in Fig. 9 of the drawing. The member in rear of its inclined portion, normally bears upon the upper side of the plate shoulder 24 in which position the member 25 is held by means of a suitable spring 26 which is interposed between the rear portions of said members.

In forming the enlarged portion 6 of the rod 6, I provide said enlarged rod portion with two laterally projecting ears :27 within which is inserted the rounded extremity of one arm of a bell crank lever 28, said lever being pivoted at 29 within an upper side recess 22 of said tie extension. As shown more clearly in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing, the rod section 7, is suit-ably connected with the switch rail 2 from which it is ex tended to and connected with the switch rail 3.

With one side of the sheave wheel is connected one end of a flexible cable 30 which is adapted to wind on said wheel and which extends therefrom in the direction of the length of the track. The outer end of the cable 30 is connected with one end of a wire yoke 31 which is surrounded by a coiled spring 32 the outer end of said spring being engaged by the outturned ends of the yoke arms and the opposite end thereof being engaged by the outturned ends of a yoke 33 which extends within the yoke 31. The outer end of the internal yoke member 33 engages a hook or coupling link 3 1 which in turn engages one end of a cable coupling or clamping member 35. The cable clamp comprises two elongated sections such as are indicated at 35, the rear portions of which are, as shown more clearly in Fig. 1 of the drawing, riveted together. Each of the sections has its outer end portion enlarged to form two clamping jaws 35", and the terminal portion of each of said jaws is so inclined on its inner face as to produce a flaring mouth 35. The inner surfaces of the enlarged portions of the sections 35 are re cessed as indicated at 35 this recess being adapted to receive and engage an enlargement 36 on the end of a section of cable 36 which is adapted to be embraced between the jaws 35 Secured upon tie extensions adjacent to one of the main track rails at a suitable distance from the switch operating mechanism, I provide a trip housing which preferably consists of two oblong housing sect-ions 37, the forward portion of which as indicated at 37 is formed with a reduced extension projecting through a slotted opening 33 in the upper side of the housing 37 is the rearwardly turned forward end of a trip hook or trigger 39. Within the housing, the longer arm of the trip hook is connected at its rear end with the rear end of the cable 36 which passes about a pulley or grooved wheel 40 j ournaled between the sides of the sections 37, and thence extends forwardly through the reduced portion of the housing and terminates in the end enlargement 36 which is engaged by the jaws 35 as hereinbefore described.

On the inner surfaces of the side walls of the housing sections 37 are formed parallel and opposing ribs 37 which incline rearwardly and downwardly, forming a channel or run-way for guide wheels 411 on the ends of a transverse shaft 12 which shaft carries a central roller 43 upon which the underside of the trip body 39 bears. In the reduced portion 37 of the housing, I provide a yoke-.

shaped member 1 1 (see Figs. 11 and t) which is slidably mounted in said housing extension and which has its rearwardly extending arms, pivotally connected with the parallel bars of a link 15, the rear ends of which are pivoted on the shaft 12. With the yoke 1% is connected one end of a rod 16 which extends outward through an opening in the housing extension 37 and is connected with the outer arm of the angular lever 28.

In order to describe the operation of my invention, we will assume that the parts are in the position indicated in Fig. 1 of the drawing, that is, with the switch in the open position or imposition for returning a train from the main track on to the side track rails, in which position the longer arm of the lever 8, will. extend beneath the keeper projection 6 and the cap 16 is in its lowered or locked position. Assuming that a train is approaching the trip in the direction of the arrow indicated in Fig. 1, and that the pilot or engine of said train is provided with a suitable projection, said projection will come into contact with the hook termination of the trip or trigger 39, resulting in pulling said trigger forward with such force as to unwind the previously coiled cable 30 from the sheave wheel 16, which unwinding action not only operates to rotate the cap 16 and thereby raise it on the spiral incline of the tubular projection 13 until the pin 17 is out of engagement with the rod 7, but to pull the longer arm of the lever 8 outward until said lever arm enters the catch formed by the members 23 and and drops into engagement with the shoulder 24 thereof. In this operation it will be observed that not only is the rod 7 released, but that a longitudinal movement is imparted to the rod 12, which results in moving the switch rail 2 out of contact with the adjacent main track rail and in moving the switch rail 3 into contact with the opposite main track rail, thus providing a clear main trackway for the train. The pull on the cable 36 is continued, however, until the flaring aws 35 come into contact with the end of the reduced portion 37 of the trip housing and are spread apart thereby suiiiciently to provide a disengagement of the enlargement 36 of the cable 36 and the aw members 35". It is obvious that the spring connection heretofore described between the coupling hook 84land cable will serve to cushion the connected parts against the effects or a shock or sudden ar which might otherwise be occasioned by the contact of the locomotive projection with the trip when said locomotive is running at a comparatively high rate 01" speed.

It is obvious that the switch rails and trip may be reset after the passage of a train, to the positions shown in Fig. l of the drawing, by first disengaging the arm of the lever 8 from the latch 23, then releasing the switch lever 5 and moving the upper end of the latter outward, resulting in an inward movement of the rod 6 until the opening 7 in the rod 7 is again beneath the opening 6 of the enlargement 6 and also resulting in the longer arm of the lever S swinging until the pin 17 is free and permitted to drop through the opening 6 into the opening 7 lhe switch lever 5 may now be moved to throw the switch rod (3 outward resulting in the desired coiling oi the cable 30 on the sheave wheel 16 after which the cable 36 may be connected with the clamping jaws of the clamp The last described movement of the switch lever also results in the drawing of the rods 12 and T and 6 outward and in a closing of the switch rail 2 against the adjacent rail 1. In this operation it is obvious that the outward movement of the enlargement (5 of the rod 6, will result in such swinging movement of the angular lever 28 as to cause through the rod 4-6 an inward sliding movement of the yoke H and a consequent upward movement of the wheels 41 and shaft 43, thereby raising the hook termination of the trigger 39 into position for again contacting with a projection of locomotive pilot.

From the construction and operation described, it will be seen that reliable and effectire means are provided for automatically closing the switch which may have been left open through carelessness, thereby averting a possible accident.

It will be observed that the switch locking and controlling mechanism which I have shown and described, is located on what may be termed the left-hand side of the P track and it is obvious that for use on the opposite side of the track, a similar mechanism might be employed, the only difference in operation required being that the switch rail 3 be forced away from the main track rail instead of drawn toward the latter. As will be readily understood the only difference in construction required for this purpose, would be the reversal of the lever 8.

What I claim, is:

1.. In a switch operating mechanism, the combination with railway track and switch rails, of a switch rod, a switch rail connecting rod, a locking device detachably connecting said rods, a bell crank lever connected with said locking device and pivoted to said switch rod, a second switch rod connecting one of said switch rails with said bell crank lever, a trip adjacent to the railway track, and connections between said trip and said rod locking device whereby contact with said trip releases said locking device and moves said bell crank lever on its pivot.

2. In a switch operating mechanism, the combination with railway track and switch rails, of a switch rod, a switch rail connecting rod, a lockin device detachably connecting said rods, a bell crank lever connected with said locking device and pivoted to said switch rod, a second switch rod connecting one of said switch rails with said bell crank lever, a trip adjacent to the railway track, connections between said trip and said rod locking device whereby contact with said trip releases said locking device and moves said bell crank lever on said pivot, and a catch adapted to engage said bell crank lever at the completion of the movement of the latter.

3. In a switch operating mechanism, the combination with a railway track and switch rails, of a switch operating rod, a switch connecting rod connected with one of the switch rails, a bell crank lever pivoted to said switch rod and to said switch connecting rod, a vertically movable locking pin controlled by said bell crank lever and adapted to couple said switch and connecting rod sections, a trip adjacent to the main track rail adapted to contact with a projection of a locomotive, and connections between said trip and said switch rod section lock whereby a contact with trip results in a raising of the locking pin and the forcing of said bell crank lever outward, and

means for latching said bell crank in its outward position.

4. In a switch operating mechanism, the combination with main track and switch rails, a switch stand and lever, detachably connected switch rod sections one of which is connected with one of the switch rails, and a locking mechanism for locking said switch rods in position, of a trip adjacent to the main track rails adapted to be operated by a passing train, and connections between said trip and said switch rod locking mechanism whereby an operation of the trip will result in releasing said locking mechanism and moving the switch rails to the closed position, said trip comprising a horizontally movable member, a support'for said member, inclined ways in which said support travels and a connection between said horizontally movable member and said locking mechanism.

5. In a switch operating mechanism, the combination with main track and switch rails, a switch stand and lever, detachably connected switch rod sections one of which is connected with one of the switch rails and a locking mechanism for locking said switch rods in position, of a trip adjacent to the main track rails adapted to be operated by a passing train, connections between said trip and said switch rod locking mechanism whereby an operation of the trip will result in releasing said locking mechanism and moving the switch rails to the closed position, said trip comprising a horizontally movable member, a support for said member, inclined ways in which said support travels, and a connection between said horizontally movable member and said locking mechanism, a bell crank lever actuated from one of said switch rod sections, and a connection between the last named bell crank lever and the movable support.

6. In a switch operating mechanism, the combination with railway track and switch rails, of a pivoted bell crank lever, a connection between one arm of said bell crank lever and one of the switch rails, a. rotative member mounted upon the other arm of said bell crank lever, a locking member adapted to be elevated during the rotation of said rotative member, and a cable connected to said rotative member and adapted when drawn upon, to rotate said member and elevate the locking member to release the bell crank lever and then to impart bodily movement to said bell crank lever to move the switch rail.

7. In a switch operating mechanism, the combination with railway track and switch rails, of a pivoted bell crank lever, a connection between one arm of said bell crank lever and one or the switch rails, a rotative member mounted upon the other arm of said bell crank lever, a locking member adapted to be elevated during the rotation of said rotative member, a cable connected to said rotative member and adapted when drawn upon, to rotate said member and elevate the looking member to release the bell crank lever and then to impart bodily movement to said bell crank lever to move the switch rail, a manually operable rod, and a locking rod, said locking member serving to connect said rods.

8. A trip for railway switches comprising a horizontally movable member, a casing in which said member is mounted, a sheave mounted in said casing, a cable passing over said sheave, one end of said cable being connected to the switch actuating mechanism and the opposite end of said cable being con nected to the horizontally moving member, a support for said horizontally moving mem ber, inclined ways carried by the casing in which said support travels, a yoke, and a link connecting said yoke with said support.

9. In a switch operating mechanism, the combination with main track and switch rails, a switch stand and lever, detachably connected switch rod sections, one of which is connected with one of the switch rails and a locking mechanism for locking said switch rods in position, of a trip adjacent to the main track rails adapted to be operated by a passing train, connections between said trip and said switch rod, locking mechanism whereby an operation of the trip willresult in releasing said locking mechanism and moving the switch rails to the closed position, said trip comprising a horizontally movable member, a support for said member, inclined ways in which said support travels and a connection between said horizontally movable member and said locking mechanism, a bell crank lever actuated from one of said switch rod sections, a connection be tween the last named bell crank lever and the movable support, and means for locking said bell crank lever at its outward limit of movement.

10. In a switch operatin mechanism, the combination with main track and switch rails, a switch stand and lever, detachably connected switch rod sections, one of which is connected with one of the switch rails and a locking mechanism for locking said switch rods in position, of a trip adjacent to the main track rails adapted to be operated by a passing train, connections between said trip and said switch rod locking mechanism whereby an operation of the trip will result in releasing said locking mechanism and moving the switch rails to the closed position, said trip comprising a horizontally movable member, a support for said member, inclined ways in which said support travels and a connection between said horizontally movable member and said locking mechanjaws having a shoulder adapted to engage ism a bell crank lever actuated from one of said lever. 10 said switch rod sections, a connection be- In testimony whereof I afiix my signature tween the last named bell crank lever and in presence of two witnesses.

the movable support and means for locking JOHN P. BLACKl/VOOD.

said bell crank lever at its outward limit of lVitnesses:

movement, said means comprising jaws be- E. B. CLARKE,

tween which said lever moves, one of said R. L. WOODWORTH.

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