US936255A - Automatic signal system. - Google Patents

Description

J. S. PAYNE. AUTOMATIC SIGNAL SYSTEM. APPLIGATION FILED MAR. 2, 1909.

Patented Oct. 5, 1909.

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wiineaoea J. S. PAYNE. AUTOMATIG SIGNAL SYSTEM. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 2,1909

936,255. Patented Oct. 5,1909.

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331% In coma JASTPQf/Z J. S. PAYNE.

AUTOMATIC SIGNAL SYSTEM.

APPLIOATION FILED MAR.2,1909.

Patented Oct. 5, 1909. 3 SH EET8SHE wihwooea s U a. n t m 6 A nnnew. a. mum an PHow-umomumms. WASNINGYON. n c.

JOHN S. PAYNE, OF MULVANE, KANSAS.

AUTOMATIC SIGNAL SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 5, 1909..

Application filed March 2, 1909. Serial No. 480,851.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN S. PAYNE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Mulvane, in the county of Sumner and State of Kansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Signal Systems, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to block signal systems, and has for its object to provide means for preventing collision between trains travcling in the same or opposite directions on a predetermined stretch of track.

A further object of the invention is to provide a block signal system, each block of which is provided with home and distant signals, the latter being operable by an approaching train to display a danger signal, when the train enters any particular block, and to automatically reset the signals to indicate a clear track when the train leaves said block.

A further object is to provide depressible track'devices having riding links pivotally connected therewith and operable by a tappet mounted on the locomotive of a train to effect the operation of the signals.

A still further object of the invention is generally to improve this class of signal sys tems so as to increase their stability, durability and efficiency.

For a full understanding of the invention and the merits thereof, and to acquire a knowledge of the details of construction, reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a railway track provided with the block signal system of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a side elevation looking at the rear of the device shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a side elevation of a locomotive, showing the tappet mounted thereon; Fig. 4: is a top plan view of the tappet and its associated parts; Fig. 5 is an end view of the same; Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of one of the semaphore arms, showing the manner of attaching the connecting rod therewith; Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view showing the system applied to a railway crossing; and, Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view showing the signals arranged in overlapped or staggered relation.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters.

The improved signal system forming the subject matter of the present invention, is specially designed for application to street railways or interurban lines, and by way of illustration, is shown in connection with a railway of the ordinary construction, in which 5 designates the cross ties and 6 the rails. Arranged at the opposite end of each block, are spaced standards or uprights T and 8 having semaphore arms 9 and 10 pivotally mounted for swinging movementthereon, one of the semaphore arms at each end of the block constituting a home signal, and the other a distant signal. Interposed between one of the rails 6 and the standards 7, are transverse shafts 11, one end of each of which is journaled in a suitable bearing 12, while the opposite ends thereof are journaled in corresponding bearings 13 in the adjacent posts or standards 7. Keyed or otherwise rigidly secured to the transverse shafts 11 are rocking bars 14:, the opposite arms of which are preferably disposed at an angle to each other, as best shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. Pivotally connected with the opposite ends of each rocking bar 14-, is a riding link 15 having a wheel or roller 16 journaled in the free end thereof, and which rides over the surface of a contact plate 17 secured to the upper surface of the adjacent cross tie, there being suitable yokes or keepers 18 secured to the cross ties at the plates 17 for guiding the links 15 as the latter are depressed by an approaching train entering or leaving the block.

Disposed above each transverse shaft 11, and pivotally mounted in suitable bearings 19 secured to the standards 7, are oscillating levers 20 and 21, each provided with a counterweight or balance 22 to assist in moving said levers in the direction of the track, after the same have been tilted. The oscillating levers 20 and 21 are operatively connected with the adjacent transverse shafts 11 through the medium of links 23, one end of each of which is secured to the adjacent oscillating lever, while the other end thereof is pivotally connected at 24 with a crank arm 25 keyed to the shaft 11 so that movement imparted to the shaft 11 will actuate the arm 25 and, through the medium of the oscillating levers, operate the adjacent semaphore arms. The oscillating levers 20 and 21 are inclined downwardly in opposite directions, and are connected in such a manner that when one of the semaphore arms is operated, a corresponding movement will be imparted to the semaphore arm at the opposite end of the block.

Pivotally mounted at 26, on opposite sides of the posts or standards 8, are bell crank levers 27 and 28, which latter are connected through the medium of cables or wires 29 and 30 with the semaphore arms constituting the distant signals.

Secured to the inner end of the oscillating lever 20, is one end of a cord or cable 31, the opposite end of which extends over suitable sheaves or pulleys 32 for connection with the bell crank lever 23 of the distant signal 10, there being a similar cord or cable 33 connected with the bell crank lever 27 of the distant signal 10 and having its inner end connected in any suitable manner with the inner end of the oscillating lever 20. The distant signal at the opposite end of the block is connected in a similar manner to the oscillating lever 21, so that movement imparted to the lever 21 will cause a corresponding movement of the distant signal at the adjacent end of the block.

Av cord or cable 34 is extended parallel with the track, with one end thereof connected to the inner end of the oscillating.

lever 20, as indicated at 35, and with its other end connected with the outer end of the oscillating lever 21, a wire or cable 35 being also extended from the inner end of the lever 21 to the outer end of the lever 20, as best shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. The several chains or cables are provided with suitable coil springs 36 in order to take up any jar or impact incident to the operation of the track devices, and also to prevent excessive strain on the cables, during the passage of a train over any particular block.

Vith the signals set in the position shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, to indicate a clear track, a train approaching in the direction of the arrow indicated in said figure, will depress the rocking bar 14, and through the medium of the adjacent transverse shaft 11 and link 23, will oscillate the arm 20, thus causing the rod 36 to move the semaphore arm 9 to a substantially horizontal position, thereby to indicate that the block is occupied. As the arm 20 is oscillated to effect the movement of the semaphore arm 9, the cable 33 will tilt the bell crank lever 27 and simultaneously elevate the distant signal 10 at the entrance to the block. The upward movement of the outer end of the oscillating member 20 will also exert a longitudinal pull on the cable or chain 35, and lower the inner end of the oscillating lever 21, thereby to cause the connecting rod 36 of the adjacent semaphore 9 to elevate the latter, to

indicate danger at the opposite end of the block. The distant signal 10 at the far end of the block being connected with the oscillating lever 21, when the semaphore arm 9 at the far end of the block is operated to display a danger signal, the opposite semaphore 10 will also be operated to simultaneously display a similar signal. As the train leaves the block, the rocking bar and riding link at the far end thereof will be depressed so as to simultaneously move all of the semaphore arms to lowered postion, and thus indicate that the block is unoccupied.

As a means for depressing the track devices, there is provided a roller or tappet 37 journaled on the free end of a crank arm 38, the latter being mounted for rotation in a suitable bearing 39 on the forward trans verse beam of the locomotive, indicated at 40. Rigidly secured to the vertical extension of the arm 38. is a horizontally disposed link 41 which is in turn connected through the medium of a plurality of links 42 with a lever 43. The lever 43 is pivotally mounted at 44 on a standard or bracket 45 carried by the locomotive, and is provided at its upper end with means for attachment to the adjacent end of a connecting rod 46. The inner end of the connecting rod 46 is secured in any suitable manner to a handoperated lever 47 arranged within the cab of the locomotive and provided with a suitable locking bolt or catch 48 which rides over a notched segmental plate 49, so that by manipulating the lever 47 and catch 48, the tappet or roller 37 may be locked in operative or inoperative position. The pivots and 51 of the intermediate connecting links 42 are preferably disposed at right angles to each other, so as to form an efiective universal joint, and thus permit the roller or tappet 37 to be swung laterally to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, thereby to be out of the path of movement of the track devices, when it is not desired to operate the signals. A suitable lug 52 is secured to the upper surface of the transverse beam 53 of the cowcatcher, and is provided with an inclined face 54 which forms an abutmentfor the link 41, and thus serves to receive the impact of the roller 37 On the track devices, when the tappet is operated to display a signal. Thus it will be seen that when the lever 47 is actuated to move the tappet 37 at right angles to the longitudinal plane of the locomotive, and the latter enters any particular block,the tappet will engage and depress the track device at the entrance to the block, and simultaneously actuate the home and distant signals at both ends of said block, to indicate that the block is occupied. It will also be noted that as the train leaves the block, the tappet 37 will engage and depress the track device at the far end of the block, and simultaneousl and automatically effect the resetting of all of the signals, so as to indicate a clear track for any train that may subsequently approach.

In Fig. 6 of the drawings, the semaphores or signals are shown at the intersection of adjacent tracks, there being suitable fourarm levers 55 arranged at each side of the crossing, and track devices similar in construction to the track device shown in Fig. l. of the drawings arranged parallel with the tracks leading to said crossing, so that a train approaching the crossing on any one of the tracks, will operate the four-arm levers to simultaneously display a danger signal on each side of the crossing. If desired, however, one of the four-arm levers may be dispensed with, it having been found, by actual experience, that three of said levers will accomplish practically the same result.

In Fig. '7 of the drawings, the track devices are shown arranged in overlapped or staggered relation, adjacent one side of the track, so that a train enters one block before leaving the other. In some cases, it has been found desirable to arrange the signals along the opposite sides of the track, and it is to be understood that the signaling devices shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, as well as the overlapped signals shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings, may be positioned on both sides of the track, if found desirable or necessary to accomplish the best results.

It will of course be understood that the operating mechanism and connecting cables may be housed within a suitable casing to protect the same against the action of the elements, and that when the signal is used in certain sections of the country, the operating mechanism may be elevated above the surface of the road bed two or three feet or more, to prevent drifting snow, sand and other foreign matter from clogging or otherwise interfering with the proper operation of said mechanism.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim is:

1. In a block signaling system, a home signal adjacent each end of the block, a track device adjacent home signal and comprising a rocking bar having a riding link pivotally connected therewith, and distant signals operatively connected with the track devices, said track devices being operable by a passing train to effect simultaneously the operation of the home and distant signals.

2. In a block signaling system, home signals arranged adjacent each end of the block, track devices operatively connected with the home signals and comprising rocking bars having riding links pivotally connected therewith, distant signals disposed in spaced relation to the home signals and also opera tively connected with the track devices, said track devices being operable by a passing train to alternately set and reset all of the signals simultaneously.

3. In a block signaling system, a semaphore adjacent each end of the block, a transverse shaft arranged near each semaphore, a rocking bar secured to and movable with each shaft and provided with pivotally connected riding links, an oscillating lever disposed above each transverse shaft and operatively connected with the latter, and a connection between each oscillating lever and the adjacent semaphore.

Al. In a block signaling system, a semaphore arm operatively mounted for swinging movement adjacent each end of the block, transverse shafts arranged near the semaphore arms, angularly disposed rocking bars movable with the transverse shafts and provided with oppositely disposed riding links, oscillating levers disposed above the transverse shafts, a connection between each oscillating lever and the adjacent semaphore arm, and distant signals operatively con nected with the adjacent oscillating levers and operable simultaneously with the semaphore arms.

5. In a block signaling system, a semaphore arm pivotally mounted adjacent each end of the block, transverse shafts disposed near each semaphore arm, a rocking bar movable with each transverse shaft, riding links pivotally mounted on the opposite ends of each rocking bar, crank arms secured to the shafts, oscillating levers disposed above said shafts, links forming a pivotal connection between the oscillating levers and the crank arms of the adjacent transverse shafts, distant signals disposed at the opposite ends of the blocks, and flexible connections between the oscillating levers and distant signals for simultaneously actuating the semaphores and distant signals.

6. In a block signaling system, a semaphore arm adjacent each end of the block, an oscillating lever arranged near each semaphore arm, track devices operatively connected with the oscillating levers, a flexible connection between the outer end of one oscillat-ing lever and the inner end of the adjacent oscillating lever, connections between the inner and outer ends of the oscillating levers, distant signals, and cables forming a connection between the oscillating levers and the adjacent distant signals, said semaphore arms and signals being actuated simultaneously when the track devices are depressed.

7. In a block signaling system, a support adjacent each end of the block and having a semaphore arm pivotally mounted thereon, oscillating levers pivotally mounted on the supports and operatively connected with the adjacent semaphore arms, track devices for actuating the oscillating levers, flexible connections between the oscillating levers, a disllO tant signal disposed in spaced relation to adjacent semaphore arms, and flexible connections between the oscillating levers and the adjacent distant signals.-

8. In a block signaling system, a plurality of spaced standards, semaphore arms pivotally mounted on some of the standards and constituting home signals, weighted levers: mounted for oscillation beneath the sema-- phore arms and operatively connected with: the latter, depressible track devices for actu-- ating the oscillating levers, flexible connections between the inner and out-er ends of said oscillating levers, semaphore arms pivotally mounted on the other standards and constituting distant signals, and flexible connections between eachdistant signal and the adjacent oscillating lever, whereby when the track devices are depressed by a passin train, all of the signals will be simultaneously actuated,

9. In a block signaling system, a semaphore adjacent each end of the block, a track device arranged near each semaphore and comprising a rocking bar having riding links: pivotally connected with the opposite ends thereof, rollers ournaled in the free ends of the riding links, yokes forming guides for said links, and distant signals operatively connected with the track devices and actuated simultaneously withthe semaphores when the track devices are depressed by a passing train.

10. In a block signaling system, a semaphore adjacent each end of the block, a transverse shaft arranged near each semaphore, oscillating levers disposed above the transverse shafts, depressible track devices secured to the transverse shafts and includ- 'ing pivoted riding links, pulleys secured to a supporting base, flexible connections secured to the opposite ends of the oscillating levers and extending over said pulleys, distant signals arranged at the opposite ends of the block, flexible connections between the dis tant signals and the opposite ends of the adjacent oscillating levers, and springs connected to the flexible connections, said semaphores and distant signals being actuated simultaneously when the track devices are depressed by a passing train.

11'. In a block signaling system, the combination with a depressible track device and signal, of a car having a lever pivotally mounted thereon, a crank arm, a universal connection between the crank arm and the lever, and a roller mounted on the crank arm and adapted to engage and depress the track device to effect the movement of the signal.

12. In a block signaling system, the combination with a depressible track device and signal, of a car having a vertically disposed lever pivotally mounted thereon, a horizontally disposed lever having a depending crank arm, a universal connection between the horizontal lever and vertically disposed lever, a roller journaled on the crank arm, and an operating lever operatively connected with the vertical lever for moving the roller into and out of the path of the depressible track device.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN S. PAYNE. [It s.]

lVitnesses:

G120. A. BLAIR, GEO. HOWARD.

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