US1132779A - Frogless switch for railways. - Google Patents

Description

C. H. KRAUSS.

FROGLESS SWITCH FOR RAILWAYS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 8, 1914.

Patented Mar. 23, 1915.

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- Charles fLlfitZl/SS oli 0 fi o THE NORRIS PETERS 60., PHOTO-LITHO.. WASHINGTON. D. C.

0. H. KRAUSS PROGLESS SWITCH FOR RAILWAYS A'PPLIOATION FILED SEPT. 8, 1914. 1,1 82,779. Patented Mar. 23, 1915.

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jgg'' THE NORRIS PETERS C0,, PHoTaLITHQ. WASHINGTON, D. c.

, CHARLES H. KRAUSS, or BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA, Assieivon r MORRISON raoennss SWITCH COMPANY, or BIRMINGHAM. AL BAM A CORPORATION or ALABAMA.

FROG-LESS SWITCH FOR RAILVVAYS.

- Specification of Letters Patent. Patented lflan 23,1915

Application filed September 8, 1814. Serial No. 860,820.

To all whom-it may concern:

Be it known that 1, CHARLES HJKmuss, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Birmingham, in the county of Jefferson and State of Alabama, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in F rogless Switches for Railways, of which the following is a specification. 4

My invention relates to an improvement in frogless switches for railways and has for its object to improve and perfect the track structure and movable rail sections which take the placeof the frogs in present switch structures.

The object of my present invention is to improve the fixed track structure by perfecting the manner of attachment to it of the converging rails, and by simplifying, lightening and cheapening its construction without sacrificing the strength requisite for the duty on it.

A further object of my invention is to provide the movable rail or frog point, which co-acts with the fixed track structure, with a roller bearing which works against the track structure and serves to take the track expansion thrust and keep the movable from being jammed into the frog point the fixed track structure which pocket of receives it.

A further object of my invention is to improve the manner of attaching the throw red to the mo able frog point, this connection in my construction making it possible for me to dispense with the use of holddowns or like means to prevent the movable frog point leaving the bearing plates or track structure over which it slides.

A further object of my invention is to provide a safety lock acting on the throw rod and serving to lock the movable frog point in llne with either track desired to prevent accidental displacement.

A further object of my present invention is to simplify and reduce the cost of forming the movable frog point from rails and to provide a novel and exceedingly strong means for connecting such frog point to the converging ends of intermediate switch rails.

My invention further comprises'the details of construction and arrangement of parts which are hereinafter more particularly described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,

which illustrate only the preferred embodiment of my invention, and in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of'the fixed track structure, the movable frog point, and the operatingmechanism for the latter; Figs. 2, 3, 4;, .5 and 6, are enlarged cross sections taken on the lines Ara-i, B B, CC, D D, and E E, of Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is a sectional view on the line F-F of'Fig. 4. Fig. Sis a cross sectional view of the frogpointconnections to a track rail taken on the line' GG of Fig 9. Fig. 9 is a vertical sectionalview taken on the line H-H of Fig. 8. Fig.1() isa sectional view taken on the line JJ of Fig. 2 and showing the shape of the shoulders provided to fit against the rail web and the splice bar.

Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

.- As 'my present "nvention "relates to the.

structural details of the movable' frog point;

and the fixed track structure with which it cooperates, I have dispensed with the illustration of the switch points, the outside'track l.

rails, and all but that part of the swit c lioperating' mechanism which shifts the frog point, as allof such parts not illustrated may be of any standardconstruction and form no part of my present invention. The movable frog I point inits preferred embodiment is formed by two angularly disposed rail sections 1 and 2 and an interposed wedge shaped filler block 3. y The frog point, at its forward end, tapers to an acute angleso that,

' when in either of itsoperating positions, it v will make a smooth lap oint with one orthe other of tread wallsl of the fixed track structure 5. This structure is provided at its end adjacent to the frog point withan outwardly flaring pocket 6 which is formed by the treadwalls 4 and the fiat base, of the structure on which the free'end of the frogpoint restsand slides thereover to engage frog point and their interposed filler block are rigidly connected by a series of trans:

either tread wall t. The railsforming the The fillerbloc k S-is shaped to fit between the rails 1. and2, while the wide rear end of the block is tapered to present a gradually rising surface 9 which serves as aneaser. block for worn wheel treads. 5 The frog point is connected to converging switch rails :1 and 2 which aline respectively with the V frog rails l and 2. In order to secure an extremely strong connection between the meeting ends of the frog point rails and the rails l and 2 and yet to allow the frog point to shift freely to its different operating positions, I provide at each oint two fish plates 10 which have suitable bolt openings therein. In the webs of the rail ends 1 and 2 I provide horizontally elongated slots 11. Bolts 1?. connect the fish plates and pass through the web of the rails 1 and 2* andthrough the end slots 11 in the frog rails l and 2. In the inner slot 11 of each frog rail however I insert a sleeve 13, the ends of which project beyond the web of the frog rail and, being of larger diameter than bolt holes in the fish plates, they will positively engage and hold apart the inner ends of each pair of fish plates suf iciently to permit the free angular play between them of the frog point. A bolt 14 is passed through each pair of the fish plates and the interposed spreader sleeve of each rail joint and a tapered washer 15 is slipped over the threaded end of each bolt so as to provide a fiat surface against which a nut can be screwed home to joint the fish plates tightly against the sleeve but without however rigidly clamping the web of either frog rail 'end between them. In other words, the fish plates are rigidly bolted together and yet leave the ends of the frog rail free to shift and move angularly between them so as to permit the V-shaped frog point. to assume its different operating positions.

I attach slide plates 15 on the cross ties 16 to support the movable frog point, the pointed end of which works in the pocket 6 of the fixed structure 5. The pointed end of the frog point is formed by tapering and fitting together the ends of the rails 1 and 2, the side edges of the tread and base of the frog point rails as indicated in Fig. 5, being squared off in the tapering so they will fit squarely against the squared inner side edges of the treads l of the track structure, which treads are formed by overhanging flanges integral with the structure 5. In order to prevent the switch point being jammed into the pocket by the expansion of the track rails I bolt to the under side of the movable frog a plate 17 (see Figs. 4 and 7) which is provided in its edge adjacent to the track structure 5 with a curved recess l8 struck on an are having a radius which extends beyond the forward end of the plate. A circular opening is provided at the center of this recess which receives the stud 19 of an antifriction roller 20, the outer periphery of which roller projects, beyond the front edge of plate 17 and is adapted to engage and bear against the rear end wall 21 of the track structure 5. In this manner the roller 20 will serve as an antifriction bearing between the frog point and the track structure which will receive any end thrust and prevent the jamming of the frog point in the pocket of the track structure.

The base of the pocket 6, beneath the end of the frog point, is provided with a transverse slot 22 and I bolt to the sides of the web of the frog point, the base flanges of which have been sheared away as shown in Fig. 5, a pair of oppositely facing angle bars 23, which bars extend below the frog point and through slot-22 and engage the wide base of the structure 5. These plates are riveted to a throw rod 24: and extend far enough on each side to remain always in contact with the base of the structure 5 in all operating positions of the frog point. The throw rod 24. is pivotally connected by a link 25 with a bell crank lever 26 which is pivoted between ears 27 mounted on the end of an angle plate 28 that is bolted to the end of a cross tie. A rod 29 connects the bell crank lever 26 to a similar lever 30 which in turn is connected by a rod 31 and link 82 to the throw mechanism for the switch points (not shown). Metal straps 33 serve as guides for the rod 29 and support it below the top level of the cross ties to afford it better protection.

The angle bars 23 and throw rod 24 have registering openings 34 therein adapted to receive a lock pin 35, the holes being so positioned that the pin, when inserted in one or the other of them and in engagement with side edge of the base of the track structure, will hold the frog point locked against the adjacent tread l. The track structure itself is specially designed for lightness and strength and is therefore preferably made as a hollow casting of manganese steel or like hard and durable metal. As shown in Fig. 5 the treads 42, with which the frog point makes lap joint, are formed by overhanging flanges which at their outer ends 36 are beveled downwardly to avoid the possibility of their engaging any loose parts hanging under the trains, thereby causing the displacement of or damage to the track structure. Also the end of the frog point is beveled or slightly depressed below the tread level of he treads 4 to pre vent the wheels hammering it. The structure has a vertical curved web 37 forming the inner end wall of the pocket 6 and termina ing in the web 38 shown at the bottom of the flange groove or throat 39, Fig. The end of the track structure that connects with the track rails 1 and 2" which form a continuation of the rails 1 and 2*, respectively, is especially designed for furnishing a strong and effective joint. To this end, as shown in Fig. 2, the tread faces i are shown diverging and each is provided with an integral shoulder 40 which extends along its inner side from the adjacent end wall 37 of the throat to the outer end of the tread and conformsin cross section to the side of a rail. Above the shoulders lOH-at the outer end of the treads 4 a notch-out is provided toreceive the tread of the rail 1 or 2 which make a lap joint with the alining tread a.

These notcheouts leave an offset portion exare cast with sockets 41 in line with side openings for bolts 42 which are passed through the shoulder and abutting rail web and through an inner fish plate 43, tying all parts rigidly to the track structure. The inner face of the shoulders 40 are reduced thethickness of the rail we'b Where they are overlapped by the web so that th e wall of the latter that engages the fish plate will stand flush with the inner face of the shoulder which also engages the 'fish plate; This affords an exceedingly strong and eflective joint in which the rail and track structure are tied against strain'in every direction, it being noted that the fish plates extend beyond the rail ends to the wall 38 and that a largenumber of bolts are used to connect them to the track structure. Theouter ends of the treads 4 are beveled at 36 as in the case of the treads 4: and the inner ends of thefrails 1 and 2 are also slightly beveled. The track structure is provided with a base flange by means of which it is spiked to the cross ties.

The angle bars 23 and the throw rod at being connected to the switch point above the track structure, and being in slidable engagement with the wide base of the track structure, serveto effectively hold the frog point against vertical displacement with reference to the track structure and to slide plates 15 and therefore enables 'me to dispense with hold-downs or like attachments which have heretofore beenrequired for movable frog points and at the same time I avoid any necessity for longitudinally slotting the track structure at the side to connect the throw rod to the frog point. This arrangement leaves the throw rod free to swing in following the arcuate travel of the frog point.

In operation, as thetrack switches are thrown to the main or the siding, the operating connections shown will swing the frog point so as to bring it into alinement with one or the other of the treads 4 as to establish a continuous rail line for the wheels where they cross the pr jegt d shoulders of the notch-outs are' tersectionof tracks 2?, 2 and l The connection shown for the rear ends of the frog point leaves it free to swing without there being any flexing of the metal or risk of breakage at the joints with the rails 1*- and 2 and the antifriction rollers 20 avoids the possibility of the frog pointrbeing jammed and locked in the socket of the track structure. The offset tread portions of the treads at? which are interposed be-- tween the rails 1 and 2 and the frog point,

give a continuous rail and the connections of the said rails, and the frog point to the track structure are such as to prevent any possibility of the mechanism not presenting to the wheels an .even continuousjtread'with the inner edges of its sections in alinement.

Having thus described my invention, what I claimias new and desire to secure by Let ters Patent, is; i a 7 l. In a frogless switch, the combination of afrog point having divergent rail treads, meansto connect said treads to track rails, a track structure with which said movable frog pointco-acts and which has divergent treads connected to track rails, and an anti-, friction bearing interposed between the frog point and the track structure, as and forthe purposes described. a

2. The combination with a track structure having divergent rail treads, of a movable frog point having its free end supported on' said structure, tread surfaces. on said structure with which said frog point is adapted to make a lapfjoint, a roller bearing connected to the underside ofthe movable frog point, and a transverse bearing face on the track structure which said roller bearing engages, substantially as described.

' 3. In a frogless switch mechanism, a track structure having at each side divergent treads, track rails connected to said treads at one end, a movable frog pointadapted to make a lap joint with one or the other of, the treads at the other end of the structure, said treads at the latter end of the structure forming a pocket which receives the frog point, a bearing connected to the underface of the .frog point, a roller mounted in said bearing, and a transverse vertical end wall of the track structure which is adapted to form a track for the roller and prevent the frog pointjamming stantially as described.

4. A track structure comprising an in-- tegral casting havingidivergent treadswhich in said pocket, sub- 7 are continuous from end to end of the cast ing, a base connecting the divergent treads at one end and forming with them a pocket,

a tapering frog point having its free end supported on said base and adapted to make a lap oint with'one or the other of the side treads of said pocket, a transverse slot in.

brackets mounted on the throw rod and adapted to slidingly engage the base of the track structure and arms of the brackets which project upwardly through said slot on each side of the frog point, and cross bolts to rigidly attach said bracket arms to the frog point, substantially as described.

5. In a track structure having divergent tread members at one end, a pocket for receiving a movable frog point, said pocket having side treads, which form continuations or" said divergent treads, and a transversely slotted base, one or more brackets having vertical arms connected to the side of the frog point and extending down through the slot in said base, and a throw rod connected to the horizontal members o1 said bracket or brackets which are held in sliding engagement with the under wall or" the track structure to take the friction wear and hold down the frog point in sliding engagement with the pocket base, substantially as described.

6. A track structure for a trogless switch mechanism comprising an integral casting having along each side a tread, which treads converge from each end of the structure toward a center or throat portion thereof, the treads at one end having between them a base and being adapted to receive and form a lap-joint with a movable switch point, and the treads at the other ends of the structure having inside shoulders for interfitting with the side groove of a rail, the throat or central portion of the structure having walls facing toward each end 01" the structure and connected at their tops by a horizontal integral wall raised above the level of the base which receives the frog point, substantially as described.

7. A track structure for frogless switch mechanism comprising an integral casting having at one end relatively narrow divergent tread walls i and at the other end the wider tread walls r, both walls converging toward the center or threat of the structure, the latter walls being notched out along their inner side edges at the outer ends of their treads'and having inwardly disposed shoulders along their inner side walls which conform in side contour to the shape of a side of a track rail and extend below and beyond said notches to points adjacent to the throat of the structure, track rails which lit against and over said shoulders with their tread ends abutting the inner ends of said notches, inside splice bars which lap the joint between the track rails and said shoulders on the treads 4 and means to bolt said splice bars and rails to the track structure, substantially as described.

8. A track structure for a frogless switch mechanism comprising a hollow casting formed with a base flange and having at one end divergent treads 4 with notch-outs to receive the treads of track rails and form a butt-joint therewith, a pocket formed at the other end of the track structure and comprising a base, and narrow marginal tread walls 4; formed by overhanging flanges ot the track structure, said structure having an intermediate raised throat 38 connecting the treads l the base of the throat being raised above the base of the pocket and being connected to the base of the pocket by a vertical web, substantially as described.

9. In a frogless switch, two converging track rails, a movable frog point with which said rails connect, other converging track rails, a frog structure with which said latter rails connect and which comprises a pair of tread walls which converge from each tend toward the center or throat of the struc ture, the tread walls at one end being adaptedrto receive between them the frog point and the tread walls at the other end being wider than the track rail treads and provided with notch outs extending inward a substantial distance from the end of the tread wall and adapted to receive the rail treads which abut against the inner end wall of the notch out, and means to move said point to make a lap joint with one or the other of the adjacent tread walls, said notch outs leaving an offset portion of each wall which projects between the frog point and the alining track rail attached to said structure to form continuous tread for the wheel in passing from rail to rail over the frog point in either direction.

10. In a track structure for a frogless switch,an integral casting having along its sides tread walls which converge from the ends toward a contracted threat at the center, the treads at oneend having a greater width than the track rail treads and being notched out along their inner edges corresponding to the width of the track rail treads, reinforcing shoulders which extend along the inner walls of said side walls from the ends where the treads are notched to points adjacent to the throat of the structure, which shoulders below the notches are reduced the thickness of the rail web, said shoulders conforming to the side of the rail, a fish plate which laps the oint between the rail web and said shoulder, and bolts which pass through the shoulder and attach both ends of the fish plate to said structure, sub stantially as described.

11. In a track structure, a pocket at one end adapted to receive a movable frog point, and integral divergent walls at the other end which walls form treads wider than the rail treads, said wall treads being notched out at the inner side of their outer ends to make a lap and butt joint with rail end and a shoulder, on a wall of said structure,

which projects laterally sufiiciently to en gage the Web of a track rail and extends lengthwise in bothdirections from the inner end of the notches, a fish plate which laps the joint between the track rail and Web connecting the treads near their center, a

and disposed substantially below the surfaces of the treads, and shoulders, below the treads adapted to be jointed to fixed track rails, which shoulders conform to the side of the fixed track rails and are ofi'set laterally at an intermediate point to make a butt joint with-the webs of the said fixed rails.

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

CHARLES H. KRAUSS.

WVitnesses:

NOMI'E WELSH, Rona. LEE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, I). 0.

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