US940786A - Automaticaly-operated gate for railway-crossings. - Google Patents

Description

W. J. COOK. AUTOMATICALLY OPERATED GATE FOR RAILWAY cnossmes.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 4, 1908. 940,786. Patented Nov. 23,1909.

5 slums-sum 1.

my w el/btozue/n W. J. 000K. AUTOMATICALLY OPERATED GATE FOE RAILWAY GROSSINGS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 4, 1908. 1 n

Patentea Nov, 26., 1909.

5 SHEETSSEEET 3.

WnT. 000K. AUTOMATICALLY OPERATED GATE FOR RAILWAY cnossmes. 94:0,786,

APPLICATION FILED MAY 4, 1908.

Patent-ed Nov. 23, 999" 5 SHEETSSHEET 4.

mvawto'a 49 names @2 KW' WILLIAIVI J. COOK, OI DENVER, COLORADO.

AUTOMATICALLY-OPERATED GATE FOR RAILWAY-CROSSINGS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 23, 1909.

Application filed May 4, 1908. Serial No. 430,824.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, IVILLIAM J. Coon, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city and county of Denver and State of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatically- Operated Gates for Railway-Crossings; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, 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, and to the figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in gates for railway crossings. In my improved construction the gate is automatically released and allowed to fall across the roadway, as the train is approaching the crossing, the releasing device consisting of an electro-magnet, located in an electric circuit, which is closed by virtue of a wheel upon the locomotive, for instance, having a flange which depresses a spring-supported shoe, sutiiciently to bring the latter in engagement with the contact which closes the circuit through the said magnet. Provision is also made whereby a motor circuit is closed by the train, as soon as the latter reaches the crossing, the motor serving by virtue of suitable connections, to raise the gate, whereby as soon as the train has passed the crossing, the gate is-in its normal or raised position, ready for the next train.

When the motor circuit is closed, a springactuated part lying in the path of a wheel of the train, is brought into engagement with a contact, and a spring-actuated bolt automatically engages the spring-actuated part, whereby the latter is locked in engagement with the said contact, thus leaving the motor circuit closed after the train has passed.

Provision is made after the train has left the crossing. for closing a magnet circuit, the magnet being in the solenoid form, and acting to withdraw the locking bolt and allow the spring-actuated part to return to its normal position, thus opening the motor circuit.

My improved construction is entirely automatic. all of the said circuits being controlled by the train alone, thus leaving nothing whatever to be done by human agency.

Having briefly outlined my improved construction, I will proceed to describe the same in detail, reference being made to the accompanying drawing, in which is illustrated an embodiment thereof.

111 this drawing, Figure l is a view illustrating my improved construction, the parts being shown in elevation, and on a comparatively small scale. Fig. 2 is a section taken through the motor casing which forms the lower portion of a tower in which the mechanism for operating the gate is located. Fig. is a similar view, illustrating the upper part of the tower, and showing the gate controlling mechanism. This view may be considered a continuation of the upper portion of Fig. 2, the parts being in the relative positions occupied by them when the gate is lowered. Fig. i is a view similar to Fig. 3, and showing the same parts, but in the relativc positions which they occupy when the gate is raised. Fig. 5 is a section taken through the motor casing at right angles to Fig. 2, and illustrating the same mechanism shown in Fig. 2-. Fig. 6 is a section taken through the upper portion of Fig. 5, the two views being necessary in order to illustrate the mechanism upon a sufliciently large scale. Fig. 7 is a view taken through a box or casing, inclosing an electro-magnet, forming a part of my gate controlling mechan ism. Fig. 8 is a similar section showing the parts in a diiferent relative position. Fig. 9 is a section taken through the boxes or casings, illustrating the manner of closing two of the magnetic circuits during the passing of the train. In Figs. 7, S and 9 the parts are shown on a much larger scale, than in Fig. 1.

The same reference characters indicate the same parts in all the views.

Let the numeral 5 designate one of the rails of the track. It will be assumed that the portion of the rail shown is located at a railway crossing, or a place where vehicles are compelled to cross the railway track, either in the city or in the country. Located adjacent the crossing is a tower or upright casing 6 whose lower portion 7 incloses a motor 8, whose armature is provided with a pulley 9 connected by means of a belt 10 with a pulley 12, fast on a shaft 18, journaled in a bearing 14-, mounted upon a bracket 15, secured to the casing by means of cap screws 16. Also mounted upon the shaft 13 is a bevel gear 17 meshing with a similar gear 18, fast on a vertically disposed shaft 19, suitably journaled and provided at its upper extremity with governor arms 20, the said arms being pivoted at the upper extremity of the shaft, as shown at 21, and having their opposite extremities weighted, as shown at 22. These arms 20 are connected with the upper extremity of a sleeve 23, by links 24. The sleeve 23 is provided at its lower extremity with a bevel gear 25, and is arranged to slide vertically upon the shaft 19. The gear 25 is provided with a collar 26, connected. with the sleeve by a set bolt 27. A collar 28 fast on the shaft 19, separates the two collars of the two gears 18 and 25, the collar of the gear 18 being designated 29, and being secured to the shaft 19 by a set bolt 30. The upper extremity of the sleeve 23 is slotted, as shown at 31. A pin 32, fast on the shaft 19, enters the slot 31 of the sleeve, and forms a guide for the latter. This sleeve passes through an opening formed in a horizontally disposed arm 33, of the bracket 15.

Located a short distance above the gear 25 when the latter is in its normal position, as when the motor is not in operation, is a bevel gear 34, fast on a shaft 35. WVhen the shaft 19 is set in motion, the outward movement of the arms 20, due to the centrifugal force developed by the movement of the shaft, raises the sleeve 23, by virtue of the link connection between the sleeve and the governor arms, this movement of the sleeve being sufficient to cause the gear 25 to mesh with the gear 34, thus setting the latter in motion. Upon the shaft 35 is a relatively small grooved pulley 36, which is connected by means of a belt 37, with a relatively large grooved pulley 38 journaled upon a shaft 39, located in the upper portion of the tower 6.

Rigidly attached to the pulley 38, is a relatively long arm 40, which may be provided with depending wires, rods, ropes, cords, or other suitable devices 41, adapted to make the device conspicuous when'in the lowered position. This arm 40, and the devices 41 attached thereto, will be termed the gate, which is adapted to be automatically raised and lowered by virtue of my improved construction.

The manner of opening and closing the motor circuit, as well as a number of magnet circuits employed in connection with, and forming a part of, my improved gate mechanism, will now be described. Arranged along a rail 5 of the track, and at a suitable distance from the crossing, is a shoe 42 provided with a depending stem 43, which is vertically movable in the upper part of a casing 44. The lower portion of this stem is inclosed by the casing and to it is secured one extremity of an electrical conductor 45. A spring 46 surrounds the stem 43, and is interposed between the top of the casing and the shoe, whereby the latter is normally held at its upward limit of movement, whereby its lower extremity is disengaged from a spring contact 47, secured to the bottom of the casing, as shown at 43. From this contact leads an electrical conductor 49. The conductors 45 and 49 pass along the track and enter a similar casing 44, where they are respectively connected with parts 43 and 47 inclosed by the said casing. As the casings 44 and the mechanism inclosed thereby are substantially identical, a description of one set of mechanism is deemed sufficient. These two casings 44, are located on opposite sides of the crossing, and at the opposite extremities of my improved apparatus. It is evident that they may be located at any desired distance from the crossing, or at a suflicient distance therefrom for signal operating purposes.

From the conductor 49, leads a branch conductor 50, to one terminal of an electromagnet 51. This magnet is of the solenoid form, and surrounds a bolt 52. This bolt is surrounded by a coil spring 53, interposed between the head 54 of the bolt and the casing of the magnet, whereby the bolt is normally extended. From the opposite terminal of this magnet, leads a conductor 55, into the casing 7 of the motor and upwardly therethrough (see Fig. 7), to one terminal of a magnet 56, inclosed within the casing 57 of the tower 6 (see Figs. 3 and 4). From the opposite terminal of this magnet leads a conductor 58, downwardly through the casing of the tower, thence downwardly through the motor casing, and thence below the same (see Figs. 1 and 2), to a conductor connected at one extremity with an overhead feed wire 60, as shown at 61; while its opposite extremity leads into the casing 62, inclosing the magnet 51 (see Fig. 8), and thence to the spring contact 68, located within the said casing, and normally occupying a position just below the lower extremity 63 of a stem 64, which protrudes into the said casing, and also extends above the same, its upper extremity being provided with a shoe 65 located in such proximity to the rail 5, that a flange of one of the wheels of a train will engage the said shoe and'depress the same. The stem 64 is surrounded above the casing with a coil spring 66, which is interposed between the shoe and the top of the casing. The extremity 63 of the said stem, has a beveled face 67 which engages the oppositely beveled face of the head 54 of the bolt A passing train will depress the shoe 65, whereby its lower extremity 63 will be brought into engagement with the spring contact 68, and the bolt head 54 under the influence of the spring 53, will be forced into engagement with the upper surface of the extremity 63 of the stem 64,

whereby the latter, together with the shoe 65, will be locked in the depressed position (see Fig. 8).

From the extremity 63 of the stem 64, leads an electrical conductor 69, upwardly into the motor casing 7, thence upwardly through the casing of the tower (see Figs. 3, and 4), to a contact 70, mounted on an arm 71, pivotally mounted as shown at 72. The contact is arranged in suitable proximity to a spring contact 73. When the gate is in the raised position, the contacts 70 and 73 are separated by the engagement of a tooth or projection 74, with which the pulley 38 is provided. When, however, the gate moves to the down position, a tooth 75 formed on the pulley 38, engages the arm 71 and throws the contact 70 into engagement with the contact 73. From this contact 73, leads a conductor 76, downwardly through the casing of the tower, and thence through the motor casing to one pole 77 of the motor. From the opposite pole 78 of the motor, a conductor 79 leads to an overhead feed wire 80. Hence, when the parts within the easing 62 are in the relative positions shown in Fig. 8, and the contacts '70 and 73 are in the relative positions shown in Fig. 3, the circuit is closed through the motor; while, when the shoe 42 is depressed, to bring the lower extremity of its stem into engagement with the spring contact 47, the circuit is closed through the magnets 51 and 56.

T he closing of the circuit through the magnet 56, energizes the latter, and its magnetic force acts upon an arm 81, of abell crank lever 82, fulcrumed at 83, and carrying a contact 84, which, when the lever is actuated, is brought into engagement with one terminal of a magnet 85, since the said terminal leads to a ring 86 of the magnet. F rom the contact 84, leads a conductor 87 downwardly through the casing of the tower, and thence through the motor casing, to a conductor 88 (see Fig. 1), and thence to a spring contact 47, within a casing 89, which incloses the same mechanism as the casing 44, and consequently engages the depending stem 43 of a shoe 90, the said shoe being supported by a spring 91, and occupying a position above the casing and within the path of a wheel of the train (see Fig. 1). The concealed parts within the casings 44 and 89, are of the same construction, and consequently are given the same reference character. These features are shown in detail in Fig. 9 of the drawings.

From the lower extremity of the stem 43, within the casing 89, leads a conductor 92, to the conductor 45; while, from the conduc tor 45 on the opposite side of the crossing, leads a branch conductor 93, to the spring contact 47, within the casing 89. It will thus be seen that there are two casings 89, one on each side of the crossing, inclosing the same mechanism, and each having a stem leading downwardly into the casing, from a shoe 90, the two stems 43 protruding into the two casings 89, and connected by the conductor 88.

From the foregoing description it will be understood that there is a casing 44 and a casing 89 on each side of the crossing, each casing inclosing substantially the same mechanism. The object of this construction is, to insure the operation of the gate by the approach of a train from either direction.

I have now traced the circuit of the magnet 56 leading to the conductor 45 (see Fig. 1). From this conductor, a conductor 94 leads to the conductor 79, which connects with an overhead wire 80, while from the overhead conductor 60, the conductor 59 leads downwardly (see Fig. 1). From this conductor 59 a conductor 95 leads upwardly (see Fig. 1), to the motor casing, to the opposite terminal of the magnet 85.

lVhen the magnet is energized, it acts upon the spring-actuated bolt 96, moving the same downwardly. This bolt normally engages a recess 97 formed in one flange of the pulley 38. It must be observed that the recess 97 is formed in the flange of the pulley 38 opposite that where the teeth 74 and 75 are located. Hence, the bolt 96 is not in the path of the teeth 74 and 75, thus allowing the tooth 74 tomove past the bolt without interfering with the latter, during the downward movement of the gate.

)Vhen the bolt 96 is drawn downwardly by the magnet 85, the pulley 38 is unlocked, and the weight of the gate will cause the latter to descend, the pulley, in the meantime, being given a partial rotary movement. The gate moves downwardly until it has reached the horizontal, or approximately horizontal, position. During the corresponding movement of the pulley, the tooth 75 of the pulley engages the pivoted arm 71, and throws the contact 70 into engagement with the contact 73, thus completing the motor circuit at this point. Now, as soon as the train has reached the shoe 65, the stem 64 will be depressed to the position shown in Fig. 8, thus completely closing the motor circuit at this point, whereby the motor is still in motion for the purpose of raising the gate through the medium of the mechanism heretofore described.

From the foregoing description the use and operation of my improved gate for railway crossings will be readily understood. Assuming that a train is approaching a crossing from either direction, a flange of a wheel of a train will first act on a shoe 42 and depress the latter, bringing the lower extremity of the stem 43 into engagement with the spring contact 47. The circuit will then be instantaneously closed through the magnets 51 and 56, and the electric current may be said to take the following course: from the stem 43 through the conductor 49, the conductor 50, the magnet 51, the conductor 55, up through the chamber of the motor and the chamber of the tower to one terminal of the magnet 56, thence through the coil of said magnet, and thence from the opposite terminal of the magnet, through the conductor 58, and thence downwardly through the motor chamber and below the same to the conductor 59, and thence to one of the feed wires 60, and from the feed wire 80through a conductor 79, to a conductor 94, to the conductor 45, and thence to the lower extremity of the stem 43 within the casing 44, and thence to the spring contact 47, completing the circuit. The energizing of the magnet 51 at this particular time is not important, since the parts 54 and 63 are in the relative positions shown in Fig. 7, and while the bolt 52 would be withdrawn into the coil of the magnet, no function in the operation of the mechanism would be performed, since the part 63 would remain in the same position, whether or not the said magnet were energized. The energizing of the magnet 56, however, serves to throw the bell crank lever 82 into the position shown in Fig. 4, whereby a contact 84 is brought into engagement with the ring 86 of the magnet 85, which is necessary, before the said magnet can be energized. It will be understood that the energizing of the mag nets 51 and 85 is mstantaneous only, since it may be assumed that the shoe 42 is actuated by a single wheel only of the train. However, the instantaneous energizing of the magnet 56 is suflicient, since when the lever 82 is once actuated, it will maintain the position shown in Fig. 4, assuming that the gate is in the position shown in the last named figure.

N ow, as the train pursues its course, the wheel which actuated the shoe 42, will act on the similar shoe 90, and bring the parts 43 and 47 into engagement within the casing 89, in which event, the circuit will be closed through the magnet 85, and the course of the current may be traced as follows: from the spring brush 47 through the conductor 88 and the conductor 87, to the contact 84, the ring 86 and thence to one terminal of the magnet 85, through the magnet coil, and from the other terminal through the conductor 95, to the conductor 59, and thence to the overhead feed wire 60, and from the feed wire 80 through the conductor 79, the conductor 94 to the conductor 45, thence through the branch conductor 92 to the stem 43 within the casing 89, thus completing the circuit. The magnet 85 being energized, acts upon the bolt 96 to move the latter downwardly, whereby the pulley 38 is released, and the weight of the gate causes the latter to move downwardly to the horizontal position (see Fig. During this downward movement of the gate, the tooth 75 of the pulley 38, acts upon the pivoted arm 71, to throw the contact into engagement with the contact 73, thus completing the motor circuit at this point. Also, during this movement of the pulley, a pin 98 fast thereon, is brought into engagement with the upwardly projecting arm 99 of the lever 82, and the said lever is thrown to its normal position, or that shown in Fig. 3, whereby the contact 84, is disengaged from the ring 86, or one of the terminals of the magnet 85, thus making it impossible to close the circuit of the magnet 85, until after the magnet 56 is energized and the lever 82 thrown into the position shown in Fig. 4. Then, as the train moves on, the wheel which actuated the shoes 42 and 90, comes into engagement with the shoe 65, which it is assumed is in the position shown at Fig. 7. As this shoe is depressed by the wheel of the car, the lower extremity 63 of the stem 64, is forced into engagement with the spring contact 68, and the head of the bolt 52 engages the extremity 63 from above, and locks the shoe 65 in the depressed position, and the extremity 63, in engagement with the contact 68. The circuit is then closed through the motor, and the path of the current may be said to be as follows: from the stem extremity 63 through to the conductor 69, (see Fig. 1), up through the chamber of the motor casing (see F 2), thence upwardly through the tower casing, to the contact 70 (see Fig. 3), thence through the contact 73, and thence through the conductor 76, downwardly through the casing of the tower and thence downwardly through the motor chamber to the pole 77 of the motor, and thence from the pole 78 of the motor to the conductor 79 (see Fig. 1).

to the feed wire 80, and thence from the feed wire 60 through the conductor 59, to the spring contact 68 within the casing 62 and thence to the stem extremity 63, completing the circuit. The motor then begins its movement, and the power is transmitted from the pulley 9, by the belt 10 to the pulley 12, the gears 17 and 18, the shaft 19, which, being set in motion, lifts the sleeve 23 by virtue of the centrifugal force imparted to the governor arms 20, sufficiently to throw the gear 25, into mesh with the gear 34, thus rotating the shaft 35 and transmitting motion from the pulley 36 to the belt 37, to the pulley 38, whereby the latter is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 3, whereby the gate 40 is raised to the dotted line position in Fig. 3, and to the full line position in Fig. 4. This, of course, is accomplished within a short space of time.

As the pulley 38 is actuated to raise the gate, it is moved from the position shown in Fig. 3 to the position shown in Fig. 4, whereby the notch 97 is brought into position to be engaged by the spring-actuated bolt 96. Furthermore, during the said movement of the pulley, the tooth 74. acts upon the pivoted arm 71, to disengage the contact from the contact 73, thus breaking the motor circuit as soon as the gate is raised. It must be observed, however, (see Fig. 8), that the parts 54 and 63 are interlocked, whereby the part 63 and the contact 68 are in engagement. Hence, provision must be made for restoring these parts to their normal positions, or that shown in Fig. 7 Now, as the train proceeds beyond the crossing, the flange of the operating wheel will next engage the shoe 90 and bring the contacts within the box 89, into engagement with each other. This, however, will perform no function, since the lever 82 is in such position (see Fig. 3), that the circuit cannot be closed through the magnet 85. As the train proceeds, the operating wheel comes in contact with the shoe 42 on the leaving side of the crossing, and closes the circuits of both magnets 51 and 56. The magnet 51 being energized, actuating the bolt 52 to release the extremity 63 of the stem 64, and the spring 66, raises the shoe 65 and the extremity 63 of the stem 64: to the position shown in Fig. 7, or to the normal position. At the same time the magnet 56 being energized, acts 011 the lever 82, to throw the latter to the posit-ion shown in Fig. 4, thus leaving the mechanism in position for the next train, and in such position that the gate will be automatically lowered as the train approaches from either direction. During the passage of the next train, as the shoe 12 is depressed, the circuit will be closed through both magnets 51 and 56. However, the energizing of the magnet 56 on this occasion has no special function, since the lever 82 is already in position to close the circuit through the magnet 85, as soon as the train reaches the next shoe, or that designated 90 in the drawing, in which event the magnet 85 acts upon the bolt 96 to release the pulley 38, allowing the gate to drop, with the consequences heretofore described.

It will be observed that the gears 25 and 34 forming a part of the mechanism for transmitting motion from the motor to the gate, are normally out of gear or disengaged the one from the other. This is important, since as the gate falls, the movement of the pulley 38 actuates the belt 37 and turns the small'pulley 36 accordingly. By reason of the fact that the gear 34 is disengaged from the gear 25, it is only necessary to actuate the pulley 36, its spindle 35 and the gear 31 mounted thereon, whenever the gate falls. If the gears 25 and 34 were in mesh, the pulley 36 and its shaft 35 would be virtually locked against movement, whereby it would be necessary for the belt 37 to slip upon the pulley 36 in order to permit the gate to fall.

Having thus described my invention, what- I claim is:

1. In means for operating gates at railway crossings, the combination with a gate .movably mounted, of an electric motor connected in operative relation with the gate, means arranged along the railway track and adapted to be operated by a passing train for closing the motor circuit, whereby the gate is lifted, means for locking the gate in the raised position, an electromagnet ad ed to act on the said locking means to lease the same, a normally open circuit in which the electromagnet is located, means arranged along the track and adapted to be actuated by a passing train for closing the said circuit, a circuit make-and-break device located within the magnet circuit, and controlled independently of the track circuitclosing means, a second electromagnet arranged to act on said make-and-break device to throw the latter in the circuit-closing position when the second magnet is energized, and means arranged along the track and located in the rear of the first trackcircuit closing means, and adapted to be actuated by a moving train for closing the circuit of the second magnet before the track makeand-break device of the first named magnet is actuated.

2. The combination with a gate movably mounted, of a normally open electric circuit having a motor located within said circuit, means arranged along the track and adapted to be actuated by the wheelof a passing train for closing the motor circuit, whereby the gate is raised, means for locking the gate in the raised position, an electromagnetadapted to act on the said locking means to release the same, a normally open circuit in which the electromagnet is located, means arranged along the track and adapted to be actuated by a passing train for closing the said circuit, a circuit make-and-break device located within the magnet circuit, and contr lled independently of the track circuitclosing means, a second electromagnet arranged to act upon the said make-and break device to throw the latter into the c1rcu1tclosing position when the second magnet is energized, and means arranged along the track and located in the rear of the first named track circuit-closing means, and adapted to be actuated by a moving train for closing the circuit of the second magnet before the track 1nakeand-break device of the first named magnet is actuated.

3. The combination with a gate movably mounted, of an electric circuit, means located within the circuit and connected in operative relation with the gate for operating the same, means arranged along the track to be actuated by a passing trainfor closing the circuit in which the operating means is located, means for locking the gate in the raised position, an electromagnet adapted to act on the said locking means to release the same, a normally open circuit in which the electromagnet is located, means arranged along the track and adapted to be actuated by a passing train for closing the said circuit, a circuit makeand-break device located within the magnet circuit, and controlled independently of the track circuit-closing means, a second electromagnet arranged to act upon the said make-and-break device to throw the latter into the circuit closing position when the second magnet is energized, and means arranged along the track and located in the rear of the first named track circuit-closing means, and adapted to be actuated by a moving train for closing the circuit of the second magnet before the track make-and-break device of the first named magnet is actuated.

4c. The combination with a gate movably mounted, of a normally open electric circuit, means located within the circuit for raising the gate, means arranged along the track and located in such proximity thereto as to be actuated by the wheel of a passing train for closing the circuit in which the gate-raising means is located, means for locking the gate in the raised position, an electromagnet adapted to act on the said locking means to release the same, a normally open circuit in which the electromagnet is located, means arranged along the track and adapted to be actuated by a passing train for closing the said circuit, a circuit make-and-break device located Within the magnet circuit, and controlled independently of the track circuit-closing means, a second electromagnet arranged to act upon the said make-and break device to throw the latter into the circuit-closing position when the second mag net is energized, and means arranged along the track and located in the rear of the first named track circuit-closing means, and adapted to be actuated by a moving train for closing the circuit of the second magnet before the track make-and-break device of the first named magnet is actuated.

5. The combination with a gate movably mounted, of a normally open electric circuit, gate operating means located within the circuit, means located along the track, and adapted to be actuated by a passing train for closing the circuit, means operated by the movement of the gate for breaking the circuit when the gate has reached a predetermined limit of m vement, means for locking the gate in the raised position, an electromagnet adapted to act on the said locking means to release the same, a normally open circuit in which the electromagnet is located, means arranged along the track and adapted to be actuated by a passing train for closing the said circuit, a circuit make-and-break device located within the magnet circuit, and controlled independently of the track circuit-closing means, a second electromagnet arranged to act upon the said make-and-break device to throw the latter into the circuit-closing position when the second magnet is energized, and means arranged along the track and located in the rear of the first named track circuit-closing means, and adapted to be actuated by a' moving train for closing the circuit of the second magnet before the track make-and-break device of the first named magnet is actuated.

6. The combination with a gate movably mounted, of a normally open electric circuit, a motor located within the said circuit and connected in operative relation with the gate, means arranged along the track and adapted to be actuated by a passing train to close the motor circuit, the said circuit being.

provided with separable contacts, means connected with the gate and adapted to break the circuit by separating the said contacts, means for locking the gate in the raised po sition, an electromagnet adapted to act on the said locking means to release the same, a normally open circuit in which the electromagnet is located, means arranged along the track and adapted to be actuated by a passing train for closing the said circuit, a circuit make-and-break device located within the magnet circuit, and controlled independently of the track circuit-closing means, a second electromagnet arranged to act upon the said make-and-break device to throw the latter into the circuit closing position when the second magnet is energized, and means arranged along the track and located in the rear of the first named track circuit-closing means, and adapted to be actuated by a moving train for closing the circuit of the second magnet before the track make-and-break device of the first named magnet is actuated.

7. The combination with a gate movably mounted, of means for locking the gate in the raised position, an electromagnet adapted to act on the said locking means to release the same, a normally open circuit in which the electromagnet is located, means arranged along the track and adapted to be actuated by a passing train for closing the said circuit, a circuit make-and-break device located within the magnet circuit, and controlled independently of the track circuit closing means, a second electromagnet arranged to act upon the said make-and-break device to throw the latter into the circuit-closing position when the second magnet is energized, and means arranged along the track and located in the rear of the first named circuitclosing means, and adapted to be actuated by a moving train for closing the circuit of the second magnet before the track makeand-break device of the first named magnet is actuated.

8. The combination with a gate movably mounted, of a spring-actuated bolt for locking the gate in the raised position, an electromagnet arranged in such proximity to the bolt as to act on the latter to release the gate when the magnet is energized, a circuit in which the magnet is located, means arranged along the track and adapted to be actuated by a passing train for closing the said circuit, a circuit make-and-break de vice located within the magnet circuit, and controlled independently of the track circuit-closing means, a second electromagnet arranged to act upon the said makeandbreak device to throw the latter into the circuit closing position when the second magnet is energized, and means arranged along the track and located in the rear of the first named track circuit-closing means, and adapted to be actuated by a moving train for closing the circuit of the second magnet before the track make-and-break device of the first named magnet is actuated.

9. The combination of a pulley mounted to rotate, a gate connected with the pulley, the gate having a tendency when raised, to fall by gravity, a bolt movably mounted and engaging the pulley to hold the gate in the raised position, an electromagnet arranged to actuate the bolt to release the pulley, when the magnet is energized, an electric circuit in which the magnet is located, means arranged along the track and adapted to be actuated by a passing train for closing the magnet circuit, whereby the locking bolt is actuated to disengage the bolt from the pulley and allow the gate to drop, a circuit make-andbreak device located within the magnet circuit, and controlled independently of the track circuit-closing means, a second electromagnet arranged to act upon the maxe-and-break device to throw the latter into the circuit-closing position when the second magnet is energized, and means arranged along the track and located in the rear of the first named track circuit-closing means, and adapted to be actuated by a moving train for closing the circuit of the second magnet before the track make-andbreak device of the first named magnet is actuated.

10. The combination with a gate movably mounted, of an electric magnet for controlling the gate, a circuitin which the said magnet is located, means located along the track and adapted to be actuated by a passing train for closing the magnet circuit, a circuit make-and-break device located within the magnet circuit, and controlled independently of the track circuit-closing means, a second electro-magnet arranged to act upon the said make-and-break device to throw the latter into the circuit-closing po sition when the second magnet is energized, and means arranged along the track and located in the rear of the first named track circuit-closing means, and adapted to be actuated by a moving train for closing the circuit of the second magnet before the track make-and-break device of the first named magnet is actuated, substantially as described.

ll. The combination with a gate movably mounted in the vicinity of a crossing, of electro-magnetic means for controlling the gate, a circuit in which the said electro-magnetic means is located, a circuit make-andbreak device located at the track and adapted to be actuated by a passing train for closing the circuit at the track of the electro-magnetic means, a second make-andbreak device located within the circuit, and controlled independently of the track makeandbreak device, a second electro-magnetic means for actuating the second make-andbreak device for closing the circuit of the first named electro-magnetic means, located at the track and adapted to be actuated by a passing train, the track make-and-break device of the second electro-magnetic means being located in the rear of the correspond ing make-and-break device of the first named electro-magnetic means, whereby the circuit of the second electro-magnetic means is closed before the closing of the circuit of the first electro-magnetic means.

12. The combination with a gate movably mounted in proximity to a crossing, electromagnetic means for controlling the gate, a circuit in which the electromagnetic means is located, circuit make-and-break devices arranged in proximity to the track and adapted to be actuated by a train approaching the crossing from either direction, to close the electromagnetic circuit, a circuit make-and-break device located in the said circuit, independent of the track make-andbreak device, a second electro-magnetic means arranged to act on the independent make-and-break device of the circuit of the first named electro-magnetic means, a circuit in which the second electro-magnetic means is located, circuit make-and-break devices arranged in proximity to the track in the rear of the circuit make-and-break device of the first named electro-magnetic means, and adapted to be actuated by a train approaching the crossing from either direction, whereby the circuit of the second electro-magnetic means is closed at the track before the circuit of the first named electro magnetic means, substantially as described.

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

WVILLIAM J COOK. Vitnesses A. J. OBRIEN, P. J. EDWIN RoBINsoN.

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