US926211A - Automatic switch-locking mechanism. - Google Patents

Description

H. F. ROACH.

AUTOMATIC SWITOH LOOKING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 10, 1908.

Patented June 29, 1909.

4 SHEETB-SHEET 1.

Q ms 1m: NORRIS PETERS co., wnsnuvcrcu, D c.

H. F. ROAOH.

AUTOMATIC SWITCH LOOKING MECHANISM.

. APPLICATION FILED AUG. 10, 1908. 92 ,21 1, Patented June 29, 1909.

4 HEETS-SHBET 2.

fizz/M rI-n: NORRIS PETERS cu, wAs'hlucTou, Bic

H. I. ROAGH. 7 AUTOMATIC SWITCH LOCKING MECHANISM.

7 APPLICATION IlLEDAUG. 10 1908.

4 SHEETS-SHEET a.

Patented June 29, 1909.

H: F. ROAGH. AUTQMA'IIG SWITCH LOOKING MECHANISM.

APPLIOATION FILED AUG.10, 1909.

Patented June 29, 1909.

4 SHBETSSHBET 4.

UNITED STATE PATENT @FFIQE.

HARRY F. ROAOH, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASSIGNO R TO CON'IINLTOUS RAIL & SAFETY SWITCH (30., Ol ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, A UORIORA'JION OF NEW JERSEY.

AUTOMATIC SWITCH-LOCKING MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 29, 1909.

Application filed August 10, 1908. Serial No. 447,731.

T all whom 2'2 may concern:

Be it known that I, HARRY F. Roacn, a citizen of the United States, residing at St. Louis, Missouri, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Automatic Switch-Locking Mechanism, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a railway track structure provided with a switch locking mechanism constructed in accordance with my invention; Fig. 2 is an enlarged top plan view of the snitch-points and my im rovcd locking mechanism; Fig. 3 is an en arged detail view showing the locking element and the tripping device in elevation, and the housing in which said parts are arranged in vertical section; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of the head rod or switch-point operating bar; Fig. 5 is an enlarged top plan view of the base plate that carries the housing in which the locking mechanism and tripping mechanism is arranged; Figs. 6 and 7 are cross sectional Views of the wheel-operated members; and Fig. 8 is a top plan view of portions of the head rod, locking element and the tripping device.

This invention relates to automatic switch locking mechanisms, and particularly to that type in which the locking element is automatically tripped to release the switchpoints and permit them to return to normal position to close the siding when a train passes from the main line onto the siding, or passes from the siding onto the main line.

The main Object of my present invention is to provide an automatic switch-point locking mechanism that is strong and durable and which is of simple construction.

Another object is to provide a mechanism oi the character described in which the locking element cannot be tri ped until after the train has completely c cared the switchpoints in passing from the siding onto the main line.

Another object is to provide a mechanism. 01' the character described in which the tripping device for the locking element can be ac curately adjusted. And still another object of my invention is to provide an automatic switch-point locking mechanism comprising a locking elemcnt that is adapted to be tripped by the wheels of a train passing onto or oil oil the siding and which is so constructcd that the tripping device for the locking element can be mauuallyopcrated.

Other objects and desirable l'catu res of my invention will be hereinafter pointed out.

I have herein illustrated my improved switch-mint locking mechanism embodied in a rai way track structure that comprises switch-points which are normally held in position to close the siding, a movable frogpoint or tongue arranged at the intersection of the inside rails of two tracks, and means for causing said frog-tonguc to move simul tancously with the switch-points. I do not wish it to be understood, however, that my improved locking mechanism is limited to such a structure i'or it can be used in a structure in which the switch-points have no conncction whatever with. the frog.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings which, is a diagrammatic view of a railway track structure provided with a switch-point looking mechanism constructed in accordance with my invention, 1 and 2, respectively, designate the inside rails of a main line and a siding, and 3 and 4, respectively, designate the switch-points of said rails, the switchpoint 3 of the main line being normally acid in position to close the siding by some suitable means, such, for example, as a spring 5 arranged inside of a housing 6 and connected to a head rod or switch-point operating bar 7. It will be obvious, however, that other means than a spring could be employed for this purpose. The switch-point operating bar or head rod 7 is connected to the switch-points in such a manner that said switch-points can creep or travel longitudinally of the stationary rails alongside of which they extend without materially atl'ecting said bar or head rod, the rod 7 herein shown being provided with pins 7 that project through elongated slots 7 in the bases ol the switch-point rails. The other end ol the head rod 7 is connected to an arm on a manually operated shaft 8 journalcd in a switch-stand 9 located adjacent the switchpoints. A movable frog-point or tongue 10 is arranged at the intersection of the inside rails of the main line and siding, and said frog-point is connected to the switch-point operating bar 7 by means of a system of links 11 and bell crank levers 12 which cause said tongue to move whenever the head rod 7 is operated.

The switch-point locking mechanism comrises a locking element arranged in a housing A located adjacent the switch-points and a tripping device also arranged in said housing and adapted to be moved in one direction by yielding means and in the opposite direction by wheel-operated members 14 and 14 arranged alongside of the outside rail 2 of the siding. The switch-point operating bar 7 passes through the housing A, and the locking element which is. arranged inside of said housing, consists of a pivotally mounted )awl or dog 15 that is adapted to move downwardly into locking position whenever the head rod 7 is moved in the direction of the arrow at in Fig. 2 to open the siding, said head rod being provided with a roller 16 behind which the dog 15 drops when the siding switch-point 4 engages the outside rail 1 of the main line. Any suitable shoulder or abutment on the head rod 7 would, of course, perform the same function as the roller 16, but I prefer to use a roller so as to eliminate as much as possible any friction between the locking element and its cooperating abutment on the head rod 7.

As shown in Fig. 4, the head rod 7 has a member 17 secured to the upper side thereof and said member is provided with ears 16 in which the pivot pin 16 of the roller 16 is journaled. Said member 17 is also provided with ears 18 that project downwardly below the bar 7 so as to form bearings for the pivot pin of a roller 19 located underneath the bar 7, as shown in Fig. 3. The locking element or pivotally mounted dog 15 normally rests upon' an inclined face on the member 17 connected to the head rod 7, and when said rod is moved in the direction of the arrow a in Fig. 2, as previously stated, said locking element drops into operative position to lock the head rod 7 and thus prevent the switch-points from returning to their normal position until said locking element is tripped.

The means herein shown for tripping said locking element consists of a bifurcated arm 20 on a rock shaft 21 that extends transversely of the housing A. The rock shaft 21 is provided at one end with an arm 22 to which a link 23 is connected, and the opposite end of said link is fastened to the Wheeloperated member 14 arranged adjacent the outside rail 2" of the siding. A plunger 24, which is arranged inside of the housing A, is connected to the bifurcated arm or tripping device 20, and said plunger passes through a bearing 25 having trunnions 26 that project laterally into elongated slots or recesses 25 in the side walls of the housing A, as shown in Fig. 5. The plunger 24 is provided with an adjustable stop consisting of one or more nuts 27 that engage the bearing 25 and limit the movement of the plunger in one direction, and one or more coiled springs 28 are arranged on said plunger between the hearing 25 and a collar 29 on the plunger. The collar 29 butts against stops 29'" on said plunger and said stops can be adjusted to vary the tension of said springs.

W hen the wheel-operated members 14 and 14 are depressed, as hereinafter described, the rock shaft 21 will be rocked and thus move the plunger 24 in the direction indicated by the arrow 1) in Fig. 3, thereby placing the springs 28 under compression, and when said wheel-operated members are released the springs 28 will expand and thus move the plunger in the opposite direction, thereby causing the tripping device 20 to trip the locking element 15. Instead of h aving the tripping device 20 cooperate directly with the locking element 15 I prefer to provide said locking element with a pivotally mounted pawl 15 that normally lies above the tripping device, as shown in Fig. 3, said pawl being adapted to move into position to be engaged by a friction roller 2O on the tripping device when the locking element drops into operative position and the tripping device is retracted. The pawl 15* is arranged in a slot 15 formed in the locking element, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3, and when the head rod 7 is thrown to open the siding said pawl will pass between the sides or jaws of the bifurcated tripping device 20 when the locking element 15 drops into operative position. The pawl ren'iains in this position until the plunger 24 is moved in the direction of the arrow l) in Fig. 3 to retract the tripping device, and when said plunger moves and thus carries the tripping device away from the head rod, said pawl will swing on its fulcrum so as to not interfere with the movement of the tripping device. As soon as said tripping device has cleared the pawl 15" said pawl will drop downwardly so that its free end will be in the path of movement of the tripping device 20 when said, tripping device isreturned to normal position by the expansion of the springs 28, the bottom of the slot 15 limiting the movement of the pawl. The object of providing the locking element with a pawl 15 is to permit the tri; ling device 20 to retract without affecting the position of the locking element and still be in position to trip said locking element when the springs 28 expand to move said tripping device forwardly.

The housing A in which the locking element and tripping device are arranged is of novel construction and is so designed that snow, ice, or any other foreign matter cannot enter same and thus interfere with the movements of the members which it incases. The

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housing A is formed in sections that are detaohably connected together so that the elements arranged inside of same will be accessible, and said housing is carried by a base plate that is connected to tl e track ties. This base plate is providml with an integral portion 31 of approximately channelsh ape in cross section in which the plunger 24 and tripping device 20 are arranged, said channel-shaped portion being provided at one end with an end wall 32. A removable cap or cover 33, which forms the top of the housing, is connected to the channel-shaped portion 31 by fastening devices and at one end of said channel-shaped portion is an approximately inverted U-shayed part in which the locking element 15 is arranged, the pivot pin of said locking element passing through the side walls of said U-shagted part.

A door 36 of approximately the same cross sectional shape as the part cooperates therewith to completely incase the locking element 15, and said door is carried by a hinged member provided with cars 37 that are pivotally connected to bifurcated cars on the base plate by means of bolts or other suitable fastening devices 39. The door 36 is preferably provided with a flange -11) that la -ts over the edge portion of the inverted U-shaped part 35 so as to produce a tight joint, and the hinged member which carries said door is also provided with a flange 4-0 that laps over the stationary member on the base plate with which said hinged member cooperates. The door 36 and the part 35 are provided with cooperating perforated cars 41 through which a padlocl' 42 or other suitable fastening device can be inserted, as shown in Fig. 5, to lock the lid. The base. plate 30 is provided with a transversely extending closed guideway through which the switch-operating bar 37 passes, said guideway being formed by a stationary member -13 on the base plate and the hinged member that carries the door 36.

When the door is closed the hinged memher on which it is mounted and the stationary part 4C3 on the base plate cooperate with each other to form a closed guideway that projects laterally from each side oi the housing in which the locking element and tripping device are arranged.

The rock shaft 21, to which the tripping device 20 is connected, is journaled in bearings 4 1 on the underneath side of the base plate, and said base plate is provided with a slot 415 through which said tripping device passes, as shown in Fig. 3. As shown clearly in Fig. 3, the. closed guideway 43 through which the head rod 7 passes is so proportioned that the head rod can move laterally without binding on the walls of said guideway. The head rod is connected to the switch-points by a slot and pin connection, as previously stated, so that the switchpoints can creep longitudinally without atiecting the head rod but in case the head rod docs creep or move lmigitudinally ol' the track, this would not interfere with the locking mccl'ianism for the locking element 15 and the tripping dwice 20 are mounted on iixed l'ulcrums and the head rod which is interposcd between. said parts can shift or move laterally without causing the. locking element to change its position relatively to the head rod. .ln other words, creepage oi the trac; rails does not afl'ect the locking mechanism for the locking element consists of a pivotally mounted member that rests on the head rod which is so designed that it can move laterally or creep slightly with the rails,

The wheel-operated nrembers 141 and Y14 consist of bars that are pivotally connected to the upper ends 01' short links 46, the lower ends of which are pivotally connected to clips 47 which are fastened to the outside rail 2 of the siding, each oi said clips being provided with a flange 18 that projects underneath the base o1 said rail and a vertical web 19 that is connected to the vertical web of said rail by fastening devices 50, as shown in Fig. 6. The bars 1-11 and 1 1' normally lie above the head of the rail 2, and the links 46 on which said bars are mounted, are so disposed that the bar 14 will be depressed and moved longitudinally in the direction of the arrow 0 in Fig. 1 by the wheels of a train that is passing from the main line onto the siding, and the bar 1 1 will be depressed and moved longitudinally in the direction oi the arrow (1 in said figure by the wheels ol a train that is passing from the siding onto the main line. One end of the bar 14 is fastened to a lever 51 which is pivotally connected a1 its outer end to a stationary support, and the adjacent end of the bar 14 is connected to a lever 52 which is pivoted at approximately its center to a support. A link 53 connects the outer end oi the lever 52 to the intermediate portion of the lever .51, as shown in Fig. 1, so that whenever the bar 14 is depressed the bar 1+1 will be depressed and vice versa, said bars always moving longitrnlinally in opposite directions.

As previously stated, the depression oi either 01 the bars 1 1- or .1 1 compresses the springs 28 which actuate the tripping device that moves the locking element and whenever said bars are released said springs will expand and thus cause the. tripping device 20 to disengage the locking element 15 l'rom the switch-point operating bar 7 so that said bar can return to normal position and thus close the siding.

To eliminate the possibility oi the locking element 15 being released until a train that is passing from the siding onto the main line has completely cleared the switch-points, I

have arranged a conmaratively short wheeloperated member 54 along the outside rail 2 adjacent the switch-points, said wheeloperated member 54 being long enough so that it extends for a short distance along the main line rail in front of the switch-points. This wheel-operated member 54 also consists of a bar )ivotally connected to the upper ends of short links that have their lower ends connected to clips on the rail 2 but said links are so constructed that the bar 54 will normally lie flush with the tread of the rail 2 The bar 54 is )rovided with a laterally projecting lug 56 tirough which a rod 57 passes, said rod being connected at one end to the arm 22 on the rock shaft 21 which carries the tripping device. The rod 57 is provided on one side of the lug 56 with a rigid collar 58, and a coiled spring 59 is interposed between the other side of said lug and an adjustable stop on the rod, as shown in Fig. 2.

When a train passes from the siding onto the main line the wheel-operated members 14 and 14? will be depressed and thus rock the shaft 21 to which the tripping device 20 is connected, the movement of said shaft pulling the rod 57 in the direction of the arrow 6 in Fig. 2 and thus causing the wheel-operated member 54 to rise and move longitudinally in the direction of said arrow. The links which carry the wheel-operated member 54 are so constructed that they will move completely over into an opposite inclined position when the rod 54 is pulled in the direction of the arrow 6 in Fig. 2 so that the wheel-operated member 54 will lie flush with the tread of the rail 2 in its shifted position. When the wheels pass off the wheel-operated member 14 and thus release said member, the springs 28 would expand and thus cause the tripping device 20 to disengage the locking element 15 from the head rod if it were not for the wheeloperated member 54, but as said member is held depressed by the wheels that pass over it, it will be impossible for the springs 28 to expand until said member 54 is released, due to the fact that the lug 56 on said member bears against the collar 58 on the rod 57 which is fastened to the shaft 21 that carries the tripping device. The wheel-operated member 54 is of such length and is so arranged relatively to the wheel-operated member 14 that when the rear wheel of a truck releases the member 14 the forward wheel of the truck will be engaging the member 54 and will be traveling over said member until the rear wheel of the truck engages said member. As soon as the wheels have completely cleared the switch-points and have released the wheel-operated member 54 the springs 28 will exp and an d thus cause the de vice 20 to trip the locking element 15 so that the switch-points can return to normal position to close the siding, the wheel-operated member 54 being shifted back to its normal position when the wheel-operated members 14 and 14 return to normal position.

hen a train passes from the main line onto the siding the wheel-operated members 14 and 14 will be depressed and the spring 59 will be compressed, due to the fact that the member 54 is prevented from rising and moving into its shifted position until after the wheels have passed off said member. The member 54 is moved into its shifted position by the expansion of the spring 59 as soon as the wheels have released said member and when the wheel-operated members 14 and 14 return to normal position the rod 57 will shift the wheel-operated member 54 back to normal position.

The head rod or switch-operating bar 7 is adapted to be operated manually to open the siding by a switchman standing at the switchstand 9 but, if desired. said bar 7 can be operated by a person stationed in a switchtower located some distance from the switchpoints. I have illustrated such a construction in Fig. 2 wherein the reference character 61 indicates a bell crank lever having one of its arms connected to the head rod 7 and its other arm connected to a rod 62 that leads to a switch-tower, not shown, located some distance from the switch-points. In Fig. 2 I have also shown manually-operated means for causing the tripping device 20 to release the locking element so that it will not be necessary for a train to pass onto or off of the siding to release the head rod 7. Said means consists of a rod 63 connected to the wheeloperated member 14 and leading to a switch tower so that the operator in the tower can pull said rod and thus compress the springs 28 and then release said rod and permit said springs to expand and actuate the tripping device.

An automatic switch-locking mechanism of the construction above described comprises few parts so that it is not liable to get out of order, the parts which comprise said mechanism are so designed that the mechanism is strong and durable, the movable parts which constitute the automatic locking means are all inclosed so that they cannot become clogged with snow, ice, or any other foreign substance, and the housing which incloses said parts is so designed that the parts inside of same are accessible. The tripping device that disengages the locking element can be accurately adjusted by manipulating the nuts 27, and the tension of the springs 28 which move said tripping device into operative position, can be varied by manipulating the nuts or adjustable stops 29 for the collar 29.

The elongated slots or recesses 25" in the side walls of the housing A into which the trunnions on the bearing 25 project, permit said bearing to move longitudinally when the wheel-operated members 14 and 14 are first engaged by the wheels of the train so that said bearing is not subjected to a sudden shock or jar, and as the head rod 7 is proj vided with a roller 19 whicl'rtravcls over the j base(plate 30 and also a roller is that is en gage by the locking element, said parts will always move freely. The tripping device which releases the locking element can either be operated manually or by the wheels of a train that passes onto or oil of the siding and as the wheel-operated member 54 prevents the tripping device from moving into operative position until after the wheels of a train passing from the siding onto the main line has completely cleared the switch-points, it will be impossible for the switch-points to close rematurely. Consequently, the spring 5 wi lnot be interrupted alter the lock has been released, thereby assuring the closing of the track. If the switch-points were released rematurely the spring 5 would expend half of its energy and the wheels of the truck going through the switch would cause the switch to remain open, probably one and one-half inches, the spring thereafter completing its throw to close the siding.

With a construction of the character above described, the spring or other source of en ergy used to close the switch cannot be interrupted but completes its entire work in a single operation instead of two operations.

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

1. An automatic switch locking 1ncchanism, comprising means for locking the switchpoints in position to open the siding, a device for tripping said means to release the switchpoints, means adapted to be operated by a train on the siding for setting said tripping device 'or moving it into an operative posi tion, and means for preventing said tripping device from tripping the switch-point looking means until a train passing from the siding onto the main line has completely cleared the switch points; substantially as de scribed.

2. An automatic switch locking mechanism, com rising switch-points, means for nor mally ho ding said switch-points in position to close the siding, means for movingsaid switch-points into position to open the siding, automatically operated means for locking the switch-points after they have been moved to open the siding, a tripping device for releasing the switch-points from said locking means, means adapted to be operated by a train on the siding for setting said tripping device or moving it into an operative position, and a wheel-operated member for preventing said tripping device from releasing the switch-point locking means until train passing from the siding onto the main line has completely cleared the switch points; substantially as described.

3. An automatic switch locking mechanism, comprising switch-points, means lor normally holding said snitch-points in position to close the siding, means for moving said switch-points into position to open the sid- "0 ing, automatically operated means for lock ing the snitch-points after they have been moved to open the siding, a tripping member adapted to operate said locking means to release the switch-points, means adapted to be operated by a train on the siding for setting said tripping member in an operative position, and a wheel-opcratcd member arranged adjacent the switch-points and operatively connected to said tripping member so as to prevent same from actuating the switchpoint locking means until a train has completely cleared the switch-points; substantially as described.

l. An automatic switch locking mechanism provided with a locking element that is adapted to move into position to lock the switch-points alter they have been moved to open the siding, a tripping device for moving said locking element into an inoperative position, wheel-operatorl members adapted to be operated by a train on the siding for causing said tripping device to become operative, and means for preventing said tripping dcvice from actuating the locking element when a train is passing from the siding onto the main line; substantially as described.

5. An automatic switch locking mechanism provided with a locking element that is adapted to move into an operative position when the switch-points have been moved into position to open the siding, a yicldingly actuated tripping device for moving said locking element into an inoperative position, wheel-operated members for storing up energy in the yielding means that operates said tripping device, and means for p revcnting the trippin device from moving the locking element into an inoperative position until after a train has completely cleared the switch-points in. traveling from the siding onto the main line; substantially as described.

6. An automatic switch-locking mechanism provided with a locking element that is adapted to move into an operative position when the switchpoints have been shifted to open the siding, av tripping dex ice for moving said locking element into an inoperative posi tion, yielding means for actuating said tripping device, wheel-o )erated members arranged adjacent one ol the rails of the siding and adapted to be depressed by the wheels of a passing train for storing up energy in said yielding means, a wheel-operatcd member arranged adjacent one of tho snitch-points and extending for a short distance in front of said switclepoint, and means controlled by said last-named wheel-operated member for preventing the tripping device from actuating the locking element during the time a 130 wheel is passing over said wheel-operated member; substantially as described.

7. An automatic switch locking mechanarranged in a slot in sald locking element and ism, comprising a locking element that is adapted to move into operative position to lock the switch-points after said switchpoints have been shifted to open the siding, a rock shaft provided with a tripping device that is adapted to move said locking element into an inoperative position, yielding means which normally holds said tripping device in a certain position, means for moving said rock shaft to store up energy in said yielding means, a wheel-operated member arranged adjacent the switch-points, and a connection between said wheel-operated member and said rock shaft which holds said yielding means under compression until after a train has passed from the siding onto the main line substantially as described.

8. An automatic switch locking mechanism provided with a locking element that is adapted to move into position to lock the switch-points when said switch-points have been shifted into a certain position, a triping device, and a movable member on the ocking element which occupies an inoperative position relatively to the tripping device when said device is in its idle position, but which is adapted to move into position to be engaged with said tripping device when said tripping device is actuated; substantially as described.

9. An automatic switch-locking mechanism provided with a switch-point operating bar, a locking element cooperating with said bar, a tripping device, and a movable member on said locking element which is adapted to be engaged by said tripping device to move said locking element into an inoperative position; substantially as described.

10. An automatic switch locking mechanism provided with a locking element, a pivotally mounted tripping device, and a movable member on the locking element normally resting on said tripping device and adapted to move into position to be engaged by said tripping device when same is actuated; substantially as described.

11. An automatic switch locking mechanism, provided with a switch-point operating bar, a locking element normally resting on said bar and adapted to move in position to lock same when said bar is shifted in one direction, a tripping device, a pivotally mounted pawl on said locking element normally resting on said tripping device and adapted to move into position to be engaged by said tripping device when same is actuated, and means for actuating said tripping device; substantially as described.

12. An automatic switch-locking mechanism provided with a switch-point operating bar, a pivotally mounted locking element adapted to drop into position to lock said bar when it is shifted in one direction, a pivotally mounted tripping device arranged ad acent said locking element, and -a pawl adapted to be engaged by said tripping device when it is moved in one direction; substantially as described.

13. An automatic switch locking mechanism provided with a switch-point operating bar, a pivotally mounted locking element adapted to drop into position to lock said bar when it is shifted in one direction, a pawl carried by said locking element, and a pivotally mounted tripping device arranged adjacent the locking element and provided with a bifurcated portion into which said pawl moves when the locking element drops into operative position; substantially as described.

14. An automatic switch locking mechanism provided with a switch-point operating bar, a member connected to said bar and provided with a roller that is arranged underneath the bar, a second roller on said member, a locking element adapted to drop behind said last-mentioned roller when the bar is moved in one direction, and means for tripping said locking element to release said bar substantially as described.

15. An automatic switch locking mechan ism provided with a locking element that is adapted to move into position to lock the switch-points when they are shifted in a certain direction, a tripping device for disengaging said locking element, means for actuating said tripping device, and adjustable means for limiting the movement of said tripping device; substantially as described.

16. An automatic switch-locking mechanism provided with a locking element that is adapted to move into position to lock he switch-points when they are shifted in a certain direction, a device for tripping said locking element, a spring for moving the tripping device into position to trip said locking element, means for storing up energy in said spring, and means for varying the tension of said spring substantially as described.

17. An automatic switch locking mechanism provided with a locking element, a tripping device therefor, a plunger connected to said tripping device and provided with a collar, a bearing through which said plunger passes, a spring interposed between said bearing and the collar on said plunger, and a stop on said plunger adapted to engage said bearing to limit the movement of the plunger in one direction; substantially as described.

18. An automatic switch locking mechanism provided with locking element, a tripping device therefor, a plunger connected to said tripping device and provided with a collar, a bearing through which said plunger passes, a spring interposed between said .engage the bearing and limit the movement of the plunger in one direction, and means for changing the position of the collar on.

said plunger to vary the tension ol said spring; substantially as described.

19. An automatic switch locking mechanism comprising a locking element, a pivotally mounted tripping device, a plunger connected to said tripping device and provided with a collar, a pivotally mounted bearing through which said plunger passes, a spring arranged on said plunger between said bearing and the collar on the plunger, a stop on the plunger for limiting its movement in one direction, and means for moving said trip ping device to store up energy in said spring; substantially as described.

20. An automatic switch locking mechanism provided with a locking element, a tripping device, a plunger connected to said tripping device and provided with a collar, a bearing through which said plunger passes, trunnions on said bearing that project into elongated slots or recesses in a stationary member, a spring arranged between the col lar and the plunger and the bearing through. which the plunger passes, a stop on said plunger cooperating with said bearing to limit the movement oi the plunger in one direction, and wheel-maerated members oper atively connected to the tripping device to move it and thus store up energy in said spring; substantially as described.

:21. An automatic switch locking mechanism comprising a locking element, a tripping device therefor, a rock shaft to which said tripping device is connected, a plunger connected to said tripping device, a pivotally mounted bearing through which said plunger passes, a spring arranged on said plunger between said bearing and the collar on the plun er, and a wheel-operated member operatively connected to said rock shaft for moving the tripping device in one direction and thus store up energy in said spring substantially as described.

22. An automatic switch locking mechanism provided with a switch-point operating bar, a base plate provided with a guideway through which said bar passes, a housing on said base plate, a locking element arranged in said housing and adapted to pass through an opening in said guideway to engage the switch-point operating bar when it is moved in one direction, and mechanism arranged inside of said housing for tripping said locking element; substantially as described.

23. An automatic switch locking mechanism provided with a switch-point operating bar, a base plate provided with a closed housing through which said bar passes, a housing on said base plate consisting of a number of sections that are detachably connected togethcr, a locking element arranged in said housing for locking said switchmint operat ing bar, and tripping mechanism arranged in said housing; substantially as described.

24. An automatic switch locking mechanism provided with a switch-point operating bar, a base plate provided with a closed guideway through which said bar passes, a channel-shaped portion on said base plate provided at one end with an inverted U shaped part, a pivoted locking element arranged in said inverted U-shaped part, a hinged lid cooperating with said part to incase the locking element, tripping mechanism arranged in the channel-shaped portion of the base plate, and a removable top or cover for said channel-shaped portion; substantially as described.

25. An automatic switch locking mechanism provided with a switch-point operating bar, a base plate having a closed guideway through which said par passes, a closed hous ing on said base plate, a locking element arranged in said housing and adapted to pass through an opening in said guidcway tor-locking said switch-point operating bar, a rock shaft journaled in bearings on the underneath side of the base plate, and a tripping device on the rock shaft projecting through an opening in the base plate; substantially as described.

26. An automatic switch locking mechanism provided with a locking element that is adapted to move into position to lock the switch-points after they have been shifted to open the siding, a tripping device for moving said locking element into an inoperative position, wheel-operated members for causing said tripping device to become operative, and manually-operatml means for actuating said wheel-operated members; substantially as described.

27. An automatic switch locking mechanism comprising a locking element adapted to move into position to lock the switch-points after they have been shifted to open the siding, a tripping device for moving said locking element into an inoperative position, and mechanism whereby said tripping device can be operated either manually or by the wheels of a train passing over the siding in either dircction; substantially as described.

28. An automatic switch-lor-xking mechanism, comprising switch-points, a head rod, a

connection between said rod and switchpoints which is so arranged that the switchpoints can cree without a'll'ecting the head rod, a locking element cooperating with said rod, and means for tripping said locking element; substantially as described.

29. An automatic switch locking mechanism, comprising switch-points, a head rod for actuating said switch-points, a locking elcment pivotally connected to a stationary support and normally resting on said head rod, and a tripping device pivotally con- With said rod, and a tri ping device adapted nected to a support and adapted to engage to engage said locking e ement; substantially said locking element t0 release the head red as described.

substantially as described. In testimony whereof I hereunto affiX my 30. An autematie switch-locking mechan signature in the presence of two Witnesses, 15

ism, comprising switch-points, a head rod, a -this siXth day of August 1908.

guideway through which said rod passes, HARRY F. ROACH.

said guideway being of such dimensions that 'l/Vitnesses: the head rod can move or shift laterally W1th- VVELLs L. CHURCH, 10 out bindlng, a locking element coperatlng GEORGE BAKEWELL.

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