US1466903A - Switch machine - Google Patents

Description

sept. 4, 1923. 1,466,903 W. K.` HOWE SWITCH MACHINE Filed June 17, 1919 9 sheets-sheet 1 0 zo 40 60 00"` 100 120 140 160 160 200 220 alim aeo 200 11065110"y l l l sept. 4,. 1923. 1,466,903

w. K. HOWE SWITCH MACHINE I y Filed'June 17, 1919 s sheets-sheet 2 sept. 4; 1923'. 1,466,903

Aw. K. HowE SWITCH MACHINE Filed June 17, 1919 9 Sheets-Sheet ."5

FIG. 3B

uw lvm/r l Wwf/M w. K. HowE SWITCH MACHINE Sept. 4, 1923.

Filed June 1'7 ,y 1919 9 Sheets-Sheet '4 .nlv

Armi? fr sept.'4,1923. 1,466,903 W. K` HOWE I y SWITCH MACHINE med June 1v, 1919 asheets-shee a sept. 4, 1923"'. 1;466903 W. K. HOW;

l SWITCH MACHINE Filed June 17, 1919 `9 Sheets-Sheet 6 PICMG.

sa f By /Z//Z @im l 11T ORA/EY Sept. 4, 1923.

W. K. HOWE SWITCHMACHINE Filed June 1'?, 1919 9 Sheets-SheetI '7 l Y S mm S S mm Patented Sept. 4, 1923.

Unirse vsr.ares rar rittensenr i erstes.

WINTHROP K. Hownyoi" ROCHESTER. Nnw Yoni,`.assiei\ioii 'fro"GfiiivnnsnRnILwAirvr SIGNAL (L01PA "L\`l'Y,v 0F ROCHESTER, NEVI YORK, A COEPGRATION 0F NEW YORK. K

Y Yswiroii MACHINE.

Application sied June 17,1919..

Y To all 't0/0m t may concern:

Ee it known thatl, VINTHROP K. Howie, a citizen of the United States, and resident ot the city of Rochester, in the county of Monroe and State of New ventedV which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to electrically operated switch machines for interlocking Vsysen's for railways.

Th Y principal object of this invention yis simplify the constructionA to improve and A of switchA machines by providingfacilities lubrication, making the lparts accessible adjustment, inspectionand repair, coni siructing p strength, lightness and durability, and providing a device for protectionduring hand operation.

Other objects and vvadvantages will appear prol. gresses, and the novel features thereof'wi-ll" be particularly pointed'out` in the appendedthe description of the invention claims.

The invention consists intherparts and in the arrangement and combination of parte which are more fully set forth hereinaicter.

ln describing the invention iny detail, reference will be made tothe accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views, and in which: Y y

Figure l is a plan view showing the apV- plication of a switch Vmachine embodying my invention to a typical switch layout of well known construction; Y 2 is ar'tabular diagram of the timing oi the different operating partsY of the switch machine;

3A is a top plan view of one-half of the switch machine, with the cover therefor removed, and shows the parts of the operncluded in the gear coinpiirtnient;

l-`ig. 3B is `a top plan view of the other half or" the switch machine, with part Yof the cover therefor broken away to show the circuit controllingmechanism and associ-l ated operating parts;V ig, 4A is a yvertical longitudinal section, taken substantially on the line 4^-^4A on l'fig. 3^ and looking'in thedirection` indicatedhy the arrows a;

F ig. et is la view similar to F ig. 4, taken substantially `on` the line` 413-413 York, have in Y tivexxwith parts spread anew and useful'Switch Blachine, of`

vmanner of. fastening a Iplate in Va hole in the coverof thefswitch -f `the friction and arranging the parts' for controller,

Serial No. 304,816.

on Fig.' and looking in the'direction indicated bythe arrows l);V

Fig. 5. is 4a fragmentary view Sin `perspec, apart showing themachine;

Fig' is a side view of 'the crank v'u sed' tor manually operating the switch machine;

rig.' is a detail vView to detachable coverq 965 showing the lconi-L struction for verticallyV supporting the shaft!v clutch; Y V:ie-.871s ahorizontal sectionv through thetristi i clutclnwith.portions ofthe plates b fen away-toshow their .arrangement and connection of the housing and the'shaft;

Fig. 9` is detailgviewfshowing the ad# justing nut forY the friction clutch, and the meansior locking said nut; l0 is vertical transverse'section,

taken substantially on the line lO-lO in F igL' 42H and looking by the arrows c,

Fig.'` ll is a vertical takcn'-fsiibscantially on Lthe line l-lllUin Fig. .4R and iooking inthe direction .indicated .by the arrows d, the line of thissec-A tion eing also shown inFig. 3B; y fr Fh. 2 is aV detail view of one ofthe sef lccting plungers;

in the, direction Yindicated f the lineof this section be-V ing also shown in Fig. 3B;` i

Fig. 13 is a horizontal section through one-.of the selecting plungers,taken substan'- f tially-on the lineY l3-l3 in Fig. l2, and lookingrin theV direction indicated bythe ar- Fig. lli is aV diagrammatic view, partly in 'i to another; and

Fig. 1.9 is a simplified, wiring diagram for the switch machine and its lever.

Reierring Fig. l shows atypical layout for a singleY switch, Vcomprising'the Vstock rails 1--1a of Y during the A i to theaccompanying drawings,

A so i transverse section, i

. ment C and D.

the main or straight track and their associated movable switch points 2-21. This construction is well known and need not be described in detail. vThe, switch machine A is securedpto the ties in anv convenientway, as by lag screws passed through holes in suitable fianges on the base plate BBy (see Fig. 3A); and the parts ot the machine are enclosed in a protecting casing ot suitable construction which is provided with weather-tightcovers. yThe switch points 2-2a are connected by the usual adjustable connecting rod 3 to the throw bar TB ot the switch machine, andrby a rod e to the lock rod LB; inthe usual way. The detector bar DB (when a detector bar is used with the machine), is Vconnected to a rock-lever 5, which is connected in turn to a locking plungerfLP o-:the switch machine. The electric motor Mior operating the vswitch machineis preferably mounted in a separate casing which is secured to one end of the switch machine casing in any convenient way,l as for example, by cap convenience in description, ,thefendot' the switch kmachine A; adjacent to the rocklever 5,'vand opposite to. the motor M, will be hereinattertermed the "front end,

The switch machine A in general com'- prises three compartments mounted on a common'base plate BP, namely, a gear or operating mechanism compartment( B (see figs. 3^ and 4A); a circuit controller com partnient C (see Figs. 3B andV a); and a point-detector compartment D. rEhe parts in these compartments will be described in the order named, with the exception of the parts in the point detector compartment D, which form no part ot my present invention. Suitable weather-tight covers are Provided, one for compartment B and one *for compart- The Vcover 'T tor the coinpartinent Bis provided at its rear end with integral lugs or hooks 8 (see Figs. 1 and LLA), which are adapted to fit into openings 9 formed in the rear end wall et the trame GF of compartment B (see Fig. 3^). Like wise, the cover 10 'for compartm ents C and D is provided at its front end with an integral lug or hook 11 (see Figs. 3B and /i-B) adapted to hook into an eye bolt 12, which is screw threaded into the base portion ot' the traine Cl" ot the compartments C and B. These covers areclamped down kat their' adjacent ends by metal strap S which is hinged at one end to the 'trarne CF and which presses down on two lugs 13 integral with said covers (see Fig 1), said strap being adapted to be fastened at its other end by a padlock, or the like, (not shown) to a lug'14 integral with said trame, in much the same manner as a hasp is fastened.

Operating geam'fng.-Reterring to Figs.Y

V3A and 4A, the throw barv TB of the switch -machine extends transversely of said mascrews 6. For

chine and is guided at each end in notches formed inthe base plate BP which are covered by lugs or caps 15 (see Fig. 3A), integral with a gear-frame GF forming the walls o the gear compartment B'. The throw bar TB is formed with' a 'U-shaped jaw 1G between its ends with which a roller 1?, carried by a main gear 18, cooperates to rcause reciprocation oit the throw bar TB as said main gear 18 is rotated. This main gear 18 is mounted on (see Fig. 41A), which is secured by means oit cap screws 2O to a. 'cross piece 21 extending transversely oit the gear-trame GF and integral therewith. Theistud 19 has a horizontal flange or rim around its lower edge Vtor holding the -main gear 1S in place, and is centered and firmly secured to the cross piece v21 by a. pin The main gear 18 carries a downwardly extending pin 23, on which the roller 17 is journaled; and on the pin 23 below :2st orvoperating the locking plunger. LP, as hereinafter explained. iv

The main gear 1S is driven from the motorv M by a train ot gears and a friction clutch. `The main' gear 1S is driven by a pinion 25, This shaft- 26 isjournaled at its lower end in the base plate BP and at its upper end in a T-shap'ed supporting member 2.7, which is secured at its front end to the cross piece 21 br' cap screws and dowel pins (see Fig.

the roller/171 is another roller keyed to a vert-ical shaft 26.k

a bearing stud 19,V

3A), and which has its arms at its other end fasten ed to lugs integralV with the gear-frame GF by tap bolts. The shaft 26 is driven by an intermediate gear 2S, also keyed to said shaft 26 above the pinion 25;

intermediate gear is a pinion Z9 keyed to a second vertical shaft 30. The pinion 2f) is VtermedV witha bearing hub 31 which is and meshingwith liournaled in thesupporting member 27. a

turn driven by a bevel pinion 311 keyed to the armature-shaft 35 ot the motor M. The

motor 'M is ot Yany 'suitable or well known type, preferably withseries characteristics; and since such motor orms no part of the present invention, it need not be described in detail.

This washer 32de: locked to the hub Friction @hatch- The friction clutch K comprises a cup-shaped housing 36 having a.

downwardly extending hub 3T vournaled. in a bushing 3S Viii-the base plate BP.` The shatt 30 extends throughsaid housing 36 and is journaled at its lower end in its hub 3'?. rthe portion of the shaft 30 just above `the hub 37 is ot larger diameter (see Fig. 7) so as :to form shoulders for supporting said shaft vertically; and this portion oi said shaft is flattened on opposite sides 8). On this flattened portion of shaft 30 are arranged alternately, one above the other, a steel plate 39, a friction plate 40, another steel plate 4l, and so on, two sets oia steel and `friction plates being illustrated'. The steel plates 39 are loose on the shaft 3VO but have a protruding ear 89 fitting in a groove or lreyway 42formed in therinside i'aceclZ the housing 36 (see Fig. 8). The steel plates 4lk have central holes shaped to iit the flattened portion of the shaft 30, so

that these steel plates turn with said shaft.

The friction plates 40.,v which are preferably made orn raybestos or similar rictioninaterial, are/loose on the shaft 30. The several steel plates 39-4l, and the friction plates 4Q .are pressed together spring 43 which bears at one end against a follower bloei; or plate 44, and at-its other end against an adjustable nut 45screwed into the hub ot the bevel gear 33. rihis nut 45 maybe. turned, as hereinafter explained, to adjust the tension or the sprinf-Y 43, thereby varying the force required to slipthe clutch. The cover for the housing Stiofth friction clutch K is'formed by the bevel gear 33V which is attached to said housing by a dowel pin and cap screws V(see Figs. 3A and 4^).

O'zihng aWmtgeWwn-n order to preventV 'wear Von the various rotating parts ot the switch machine, and also. to overcome tric-V as possible,V

tion between said parts as much have provided holes and passages for conducting` oil to said parts, which are readily accessible to the maintainer and which lead, TB

directly to the partsto be oiled. Referring to 4A, an oil hole46 is drilled through the cross .piece 9.1 and leads directly to the bearing vsurface between the .bearing studinainggear 18. Likewise, an oill 22 and the y passage47 .lengthwise of the shaft 26 l:`ac'ili-V tates the supplyingot oil `to thelower bearing et said shaft. This passage 47 lea-:ls to a cavity 48 oi'ined atthe bottom of the bore in which sait` shaft is journaied, and an outlet siipplies'o l tothe-lower bearing portion of said shaJl 48 is a conduit .v50 (see Fig. 4^) which conducts oil to the luishiiig in which clutch K is journaled. I It will be noted that this arrangement keeps oil away from the friction plates ot the clutch K, it being desirable to lreep said plates dry.V

Loc/Lezing mec,cnsm.-Tliis comprises the loci: rod LR (see Fig. l) and a locking plunger Llroperated by theswitch machine a 'd lock rod in the nd arranged' to lock` normal F y Referring-to Figs..3B and 4B, the lock rod Lil extends transversely oif'the switch machine .near thev front endthereof,

(See Fig.,

by a compression i t. Leading from the cavityor reverse position ot' the switch.

identical in construction, .twov loclr rodsl being Vused when the switch machine -is for operating double-slip point frogs or the hire.

used switches, movable The locking plunger LP. extends Ylongif.V

tudinally ofthe switch machine-and rests upon the base plate BP, being guided at different points integral with said base plate BP (see Fig. 10). This locking. plunger LP, best shown as a whole in Fig. 5l at its rear end, notch or jaw 52 guided byV afsquared pro- `jection 53'integral with the base plate BP.'

In the lieadl of the locking plunger'liiD is formed a cam slot 54, ofla generally elliptical shape, with a projecting tongue or stop 55 .and this cam slot 54' is arrangedto cooperate with the lower roller 24V on Vthe riving pin 23 of the main driving gearv 18. Thelocking plunger LP carries aflocliing dog 56 adapted to enter the .notchesfof the lock rod LR, 57 near `its iear'end (see Figs. 4A and i4),

throughout its length by .lugs

i said bars longitudinally relatively to veach f imv 14, has-an enlarged head which is formed with a and also another locking dog f which is adapted to cooperate with one or the 1 other of the shoulders (designated 58) on either side of the jaw 16 ofthe throw bar Secured for a purpose4 herein-V ing the operating and indication circuits,v

(hereinafter termedV theV operating circuit controller), and another unit for controlling the circuits or the pole changer coils (h reinaifter termed Y so astolock said throw bar linfone or Y means of are two parallel guiding 14), .which have.' slopthe. .reversing circuit Vcontroller).v Each of these Vunits comprises a plurality or" fixed contact fingers or springs iiof iis

$0 arranged inA rowsl along'opposite sidesy off." the machine, and two. separately movable 'contactcarriers or blocks "61 and 62. re-v spectively, arranged to be shifted bach and forth from one side ofthe machine to the other into andout of engagement with said contact fingers 60. The positionvoj thecontact carrier 62 ofthe reversing-.circuit conis held. at one end by .two parallel cores troller is selected by the loclr rod .LB in accordance with the position of the switch points, and this contact carrier is moved mechanically to its selected position by the iinal locking movement of the locking plunger LP. VLikewise, the contact carrier Gi of the operating circuit controller has its position selected'by the lock rod LR, and is operated mechanically1 by the locking plunger Ll); but this contact carrier Gl may also be shifted electrically,

is in mid-strol e. by the energization of pole changer coils (5B-64;. These units will be first ddescribed separately, and then their inter-action and cooperation pointed out more fully in the description of the operation of the switch machine.

rl`he stationaryvor lined contact @Oef the circuitcontrollers are carried by two bars of insulating material (see Fig. P33), which are fastened by screws to a bracket or shelf G6 extending along the sides and one end of tie circuit controlling .oinpartment C, preferably intrY ral with the walls thereof. Referring more particularly to Figs. l0 and 1l. each of these stationary contact fingers 60 includes,` in addition to theV contact linger or springA proper, a retaining member GT of relatively stiff material fastened by a screw-bolt GS to its insulating bar 65. The contact spring bolt G9, which has its Vhead secured to said retaining mem ber 67, said bolt 69 being provided with clamping nuts in the usual manner to constitute a binding post to connect said contact finger. The other and free end of the contact spring 60 is doubled over and under the free end of theretaining member 6T. The retaining member G7 .serves to limit the upward and downward movement of the free endV of the Contact spring 6o,

and said retaining member, being relatively stili', prevents the bending of the lighter contact spring out of its properposition.

The movable contact carrier 6l for the oper ating circuit controller is formed substantially in the shape of an inverted i t see 4B), and includes a bloclr of suitable insulao ing material. 7G to which a single row of contact pieces Tl, connected together vin pairs, are fastened., preferably by 'being moulded therein. As shown, these contact piecesV consist of a strip, inverted UshapeV in cross section, which is long enough to span two adjacent contact lingers, and which has its middle portion partly cut away, in Fig. 3B. The lower arms ofthe contact carrier 5l are fastened by bolts 72 to the 73 of the pole-changer coils S23-Jil (see Fig. -),so that said contact carrier is supported and operated by said cores. The cores 73 and associated parts are i du licates. Each core 73 is hollow fsee Fig. l1) and slides in a stationary tube 7l of when the switchlingers plugs 76.

Y 7 and sliding out the coil,

wires toV as shown.

plugs 'TG fastened to detachable cover platesl T7 secured to the frame CF forming the circuit controller compartment C. Each of these plugs 7G is formed with a tapered spindle (see Fig. il), enter the hollow core' 73, and vary the reL luctance of the magnetic circuit for the corresponding pole-changer coil, so as to improve the attractive el'ort of said coils. The pole-changer coils (S3- Gil themselves surround rthe brass tubes 74E and are pressed inward toward the middle of the machine against a circumferential ridge or enlargewhich is adapted to ment on said tubes by springs 7S on the place and prevent them vfrom vibrating and wearing` out. The ends of the pole-changer coils, GS Gl, which are preferably form-V wound, are protected by washers; andthe brass tubes 74 are cut away to permit attachment of the contact carrier cores T3, all as shown in Fig. Yli. it will be observed that this construction permitsv removal of any one of the pole-changer coils by nierelytalring off the proper cover" plate the lead wires being of course disconnected.

The Contact carrier 62 for the reversing circuit controller comprises a similar block of insulating material 'i' 9 in which are moulded two rows of contact pieces which are identical with those previously described for the operating circuit controller. This contact carrierl 62 is associated witlrandforms a part of a unit of apparatus including a contact shifter CS for operating both of the contact carriers til-62 of the entire circuit controller, the construction Vbeing such that this unit of apparatus may be disconnected and taken out from the machine as a whole for inspection, adjustment, or repair. This detachable unit comprises a main supporting fra-me 8l, which is hung from the side shelf 66 of the circuit controller compartment C and is fastened vthereto byv cap screws, This supporting shown in Fig. 10, is substantially H-shaped, with a detachable bottom cross member 82. The contact carrier 62 for the reversing circuit controller is slidably mounted on two The spring 78 hold the coils in- 61 to the frame 8l, best and a lower portion 85 connected by twoy vertical side members StL-86a. The upper and lower portions 84 and 85 of said contact shifter CS are journaled on a pin 87 fastened to the top and'bottom cross members of the'supporting trame 81.

The upper portion 84 or" the contact shifter CS is provided with an integral arm 88having a slot or jaw at its endr` which stra-c dles a down wardly extending` pin 89 secured Vto the contact carrier 62 of the reversing circuit controller, so that oscillation of the contact shifter CS causes movement ot said contact carrier 62 from one extreme position to the other. The contact carrier 61 ci' the operat-V ingcircuit controller is actuated by an arm which is journaled at end on the pin 87 and which lextends between the two side members Sli- 86a ot the contact shifter CS, and this arm 90 is provid d with a similar slot or jaw at its free end which cooperateswith the downwardly extending pin 91y secured to said contact carrier G1. To the lower portion S ci the contact-.shifter CS is fastened a downwardly extending pin 92 carrying a roller 93 whichy is arranged t0 cooperate with the guides 59 on the lockingA plunger LP.' ."rlso carried by said lower portion S5 of the contactshit'ter CS lare two other pins 944-911, carrying rollers 95-952l which are arranged on opposite sides of the axis of oscillation of said centact shifter CS.

The contact `shifter CS is operated by two selecting plungers SP, one for `the normal position and the other 'tor the `'reverse position or" the switch points. Since these selecting plungers'are counter-parts, the description one will sutlice for both. Each selecting plunger lSP. comprisesv acurved bracket 96 in which is slidably mounted a squared plunger bolt 97, said bolt being arranojed to be driven by the lock dogI 5.6 against one or the other of the rollers 95-95f1 on the contact shi'tter CSas more fully explained hereinafter in the description ofthe operation. These brackets 96 are curved in opposite directions (see 8B), or in other words, are right and left-hand brackets, and are fastened by tap screws, one to one ot the two bars oi the lock rod LR, and the other to the other of said bars. Each plunger bolt 97 is provided with an adjustable' tappet bolt'9S and a locking nut 99, and associated witlrthe plunger bolt is a centering and retaining device, Vshown in detail in Fig. 13. ln this construction, a V-shaped notch 100 is Aformed in the plungerbolt 97; and arranged to cooperate with this lnotch is a ball 101 which is urged toward vthe plunger boltby a compression spring'102 housed ina casing formed in a lug 103 integral with the bracket 96` said spring being held in place by a Cotter pin 104i. lVhen the plunger bolt 97 is in the retracted position, the ball 101 is forced into the notch 100 and prevents the bolt 97 being arred out of this retracted position. Then the plunger bolt 97 is moved back toward kits retracted position, in a manner hereinafter explained, as soon as it approximatelyT crank 106, show .without removing covery for :ment B, vby providing a fhol Aso that it reaches this retracted 'positiathe bau 10i undef ihe'pressur f thespring 102 seats itse'ltin aA V-shaped position.

retracted posit thatposition. l Y. v. f y 'l'licmtrt Y operation-F or casos L0I" emerion Vand is yiei'dingly held in gencv.,VI or when .itis desirableto `adjust ory .repair-the switchmachine, a hand crank 106 (seeF ig. 6)AY is providedg'for, enabling the machine to be operated manually. This in Eig; G, is arranged to be-inserted inthe boreA l pinion .29,` said Nbore being provided with-a keyway in which the; ,key-likev projection on the cranlc106 fits.- Pro-vision' is made so that 'thehand crank "100'may be` inserted the Comparte directlylover the hub l Fof'pinion 29, :(see igs. 4f? and 5), with a detachable cover plate 107' for said hole. Thisl cover plate 107 Vis provided Vwith a bayonet slot locking arrangement V as shown lnFi'g. 5.V

Onaccount-pof. lthe vautomatic restoring machine. it is chine by hand Y make it sure that the maintainer will not forget to cut off vpower before starting to crank `theirl machine, ar` protective devicejis provided, such that the Vmaintainer cannot insert thejerank 106 until he has operateda circuit controller which actsto V*open the dangerous to ycrank 4the mawith .the power, on;.and. to Y in the hub'31fof the so `feature characteristic of this type of switch i common return connection Vfor. the switch.

machine. In e illustrated, this protective device member 27 which normally prevents the insertionjof the lcrank ,106 until' moved to bring the hole in lsaid guard plate over the bore in the pinion 29. rll'hisguard plate 108.

Vis connected by an arm 109 and a rod 110 Ato a suitablevcircuit ,controller (see Figs.

3A and 41A). As shown, this circuit controller comprises contact springs '111fas tened by binding posts to a block of insulating material 112, which is fastened to the end wall of the gear frame GF, said block of insulating material also serving to guidev the end of the rod .110. An insulated contact member or disc 113A is attached tothe rod `110 and is adjusted to contact with the contact springs 111 lwhen the guard plate 108 is in the normal Vposition shownin Fig. 8A and to break suchY contact when said plate 108 is moved to insert the crank 106. Obviously, this protective circuit controller cannot be closed while the .crank is inV place, Vis not` possible for powerrto be applied to the switchmachinewhile the maintainer is cranking, it over.l

he crank 106 is also used in connection with the adjustmentV of the clutch K.v This the 'particular arrangement comprises a guard plate 108'pivotegdito the'supporting A Y `After the cranl;v

Vnut 45; and while 'notches still finer ldication adjustment is accomplished as follows: 106 has been inserted, it is the `set screw 114 engaging a notch in the adjusting nut 45 (see Fig. 9) into position to be reached and backed off; and then Vthe crank lis turned until a hole 115 (see Fig. 9) is ldirectlyv'under a hole 116 in a lug integral with the supporting member 27 (see Fig. 4A). A rod or other appropriate tool is now inserted through the hole 116 into the hole 115 in the thus holding the nut 45, the crank 106 is turned. in either direction, according to the, adjustment required, to rotate the bevel gear 33 through the medium of the shaft 30 and the parts of the friction clutch K, to screw the nut 45 'into or out of said bevel gear 33 and thus vary the tension of the spring 43. A After completing the desired adjustment, the nut v451s brought to the position where the loc-king screw 114 again registers with the notch in said nut,

turned to lbring `whereupon the parts may be locked as before in the new adjusted position.` YThe ad- Vjusting nut 45 is preferably provided with a line thread, so that the desired adjustments may be obtained by turning said nut one or more complete revolutions; but obviously, by the addition of other locking adjustments could be ob tained. 1

Operation-The operating and indication circuits used with my improved switch machine are shown in a simplified and diagrammatic manner in Fig. 19,- the well known safety magnet, indication selector, polarized cross-protection relay, and the like, usually employed in a complete system being omitted to avoid complication. The switch machine is controlled from the tower by the usual lever L, which is moved bach and forth by the operator. T he construction of this lever L, the indication latch' inecha nism, the indication magnet 117 and other parts associated therewith are well lrnown, and since they form no part of this invention, they will not be described, except in so far as may be necessary to make the operation of the switch machine clear. The controlling lever L has four positions, namely, normal, normal indication;7 reverse inand reverse, named in the order in which they occur as the lever is pulled outwardly fom the normal position shown in FiO'. 19. rElie indicationV latch mechanism prevents movement of the lever L beyond either indication position until Said latch mechanism is released by eiiergi- Zation of the indication magnet 117,; and the final movement of the lever L in either direction releases the mechanical interlocking (not shown) through cam slot 11S, and up-and-down rod 119.

In describing the operation, vreference will be ymade to the diagram in Fig. 2, which Athe motor M.

indicates the approximate timing of the different operating parts of the switch niachine. ln this diagram horizontal distances represent in degrees a complete cycle of movement ofthe main driving gear 13 and` intersecting the LP, and the locl; rod LR, together with the mechanism for operating the circuit controller assume at different tiii'ie's during the movement of themain gear 18 through one complete cycle of operation.

With the parts of the switch machine in the normal position as shown in Figs. 14, 15 and 19, the operation of the switch niachine in throwing the switch from normal Vto reverse is as follows: The controlling lever L is pulled lout, to the left as viewed in rig. 19, to the reverse indication position, and contact blocks 120 and 121 secured thereto contact with the pairs of contact springs 122 and 123, respectively, thereby establishing a reverse operating circuit for In tracing this and other circuits, the several contact fingers 60 and contact pieces 71 of the circuit controller will be given different numbers. This reverse operating circuit may be traced as follows: commencing at one terminal of the operat ing battery 124, conductor 125, contact springs 123 and contact block 121, econductoi's 126, 12T and 128, contact springs 129-131 and contact piece 130, conductors 132 and 133, armature of the motor ductois 134 and 135, contact springs 136-137 and contact piece 133, conductors 139 and 140, i'ield of the motor M, conductors 141 and 142, contact springs 111 and contact disc 113, and common 143 and con.- duetor 144 bach to the other terminal of battory 124.

The motor M, being supplied with electric current, its armature shaft 35 drives the bevel pinion 34, bevel gear 33, friction clutch K, shaft 30, Vpinion 29, intermediate gear 2S, shaft 26, pinion 25, main gear 16 and pin 23. maingear 16 in a circular path l(indicated by a dot and dash line in Figs. 14 and 15') in a clockwisedirection, as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 15. For about the rst fort-y degrees of revolution of the main gear 13, the motor M runs freely without moving any part of the switch machine other than the gears in the gear train, since the roller 24, on the driving pin 23, follows the curved portion of the rear edge of the cam slot 54 which is formed on the arc of a circle concentric with the circular path of the driving pin 23.

M, con- The pin 23 is moved by the After this free run of the motor armature, the lower roller 24 on thev drivingpin 23 strikes the edge of the cam slot 5% of the locking plunger LP, and during the neXt part of the movement of tliefdriving pin A23 from about 10 degrees to about 1.10 degrees) the locking locket. position shown in approximately the first half movement of the locking plunger LP (from about 40 degrees to about 75 degrees)'the locking .dog 5G is carried out ofhengagenient with theY corresponding notches in the lock -rod LR, ried-out ofengagementwith the shoulder 5S of the throw bar TB, thereby unlocking the switch points. During the first partof this forward Vmovement of the locking plunger LP, befory switch is completed, the beveled end of one of the guiding strips 59 (seeFig. le). en-

1G. Buring i `ages the roller on tliefoontaot shifter CS and causes s sliiitervto be turned about its supporting pin Y87, in a counter clockwise direction, to the middle position shown in Figs. 16 and 17. The Contact siiifter CS is held in its middle position until tl e switch has been completely7 thrown and again locked, for thepuipose explained more fully hereinafter. This movement ofthe contact shifter CS to the middle position moves the Contact carrier 62 ofthe revers#V circuit controller to the middle position, to permit reversal 'of theswitoh Yin midstroke, as more f illy explained hereinafter, but does not cha..ge the Contact carrier-61 of the opei'atingcircuit controller, merely taking up the lost motion between the side member 86a orp the contactshifter CS and the operating arm 90 (see FigJ16). The movement of the contact shifter CS toits middle position also 'rorces the plunger bolt 9T ofthe normal selecting plunger SP on the lock rod LR back to the retracted position shown in Figzl, ing been moved out of the way; and the cooperation of the spring-pressed lball 101 and notch 100. hereinbefore described,- forces the plunger bolt 97 to the proper position and holds it there.

After the throw bar TB and the lock rod R have been unlocked, the locking plunger LP continues its outward movement to a point (at about 110 degrees) iii the travel of the pin 23, in an idle movement which serves to complete the operation of the deteetor bar. During` this idle movement of the locking plunger LP, the upperroller 11T onl the driving pin 23 enters the laterally opening `jaw 16 in the throw bar TB, and ata point (about 105 degrees) in the travel of said pin, just before the ,locking plunger LP completes its forwardymovement, said rollerrl strikes the lower ledge of said'ja-w 16 (see -Fig. 16), and starts to move the plunger LP ismoved to its un- 1 df the forwardl and the locking dog 57 isl carthe4 unlocking' of theV the end of its movement,

the lock dog 56 hav-` does noty move the switch points.; {but after-V this lost motion is taken up, the switch points are thrown.

As the switch 'points' 2`2a are'nioved, the

lock

moves and causes-the'normal notchesof saidf` lock rod to be moved out of Valignment-with rod Ll,being connected tothem, alsoV the lockingdog 56 andf-theieverse notches l' t0 be moved'into said alifrnm'ent. LikewiseY 7 the normal selectingphinger S13-'oir the flock alignment :with

Vroller 95 on thoeontact shifterCS, and the-.

reverse selecting vplunger thefoppo-k site sideV of said-contact shifter CS (see F ig.

17).' If for any reason the `plunger bolt 97v of the VVreverse selecting plunger should fail ,tobein its` retracted-'position-after having been previousl'i/f.actuated, this ii uugei bolt might strike roller 95a shifting 0f K K ate such adifliciilty,'iixedlugs 20() with in'-` clined facesare vp rovided'on opposite sides of the supporting frame '81 4(seelFigs. 3B and`10), andthe inclined faces of "said lugs engage vthe l.tappet boltV 98 andpositively force it to its shortly heroes-.the threw bei. TB has pin 23 strikes therear edge of theca-ni slot 54 in the locking plunger'LP and commences the return movement of,V said locking plunger; and after the throwbar TB reaches the locking dog 5'? and cause premature the contact shifter-CS. To'obvi- Sl? is brought into alignment with the. roher .95@ on correct 'position' asit moves Ywith the ylock rod LR. I

is in position to passbehind the shoulderVV 58 of the throw bar T. and likewise the locking'dog 56 is in Yposition to enter the reverse 'notch of the lock yrod LR vso as t0 lock the switch. The actual loekingof the Switch starts at about245 completed at about 290 degrees;

During this final locking movement of lthe locking plungerLP, thev Contact shifter Y CS is released from the guidingstrips 59, and the lock dog56 strikes plunger bolt degrees and is` 97 of reverse Vselecting plunger SPS( which is now in alignment with roller 95a)V and causes a. further turningv of said Contact shifter CS inthe vcounteiclockwise dii'e'ti'ou to the position shown' in Fig.v 18. This shifts the contactcarrier 62 to 'the extreme reverse position, opposite .to that which it originall;7 occupier.. The arm '90 andcontact carrier 61 are-likewise simultaneousljv7V rocked by'this vfinal movement of the con# tact shifter CS to the reverse interrupts the supply of current to the Vmotor M at the Contact springs 129,*131 and 13G-137, but the armature of motor position; This Y to its normal position,

M and the connected gearing continue to revolve, due to the acquired momentum, niitil its movement is arrested by the generation of the indication curre.nt,as hereinattcr explained. The tongue 55 on the cam .tace of theV locking plunger LP is provided to limit the movement ot the roller Q4-.aud kthe main gear 18, in case the motor armature should not be snubbed by the generation the indication current for any reason. in order to obviate any possibility ot the roller 24 over-running` so i'ar as to strike the other edgeot the cam `slot in the locking plunger and unlock the machine.

Then the operatingl contact pieces 13() and 13S attain their reverse position, circuit for the indication current is established as ollowszcommencing at the right-hand brush @t the armature o? the motor Til. conductors 133 and 1115, contact springs 1146- 147 and contact piece 138, conductorsy 149 and 140, field ot the motor M. conf,... tors 1&1 and 142, contact springs 111 and contact disc 113, conductors 143 and 149. indication magnet 117, conductor 150, contact springs 122 and contact'block 120, conductors 151. 152 and 153, Contact springs 154-155 and contact piece 130, and conductors 156 and 134L back to the other brush ot the armature ot motor M.

This circuit places the mptor M in a closed circuit with ythe indication magneti 117, so that the motor acts as a generator, and sends current through the indication magnet to release the reve-rse indication latch ot the controlling lever L, thereby enabling the operator to move his lever L to its full reverse position and release the mechanical interlocking.

Substantially vthe same movements Vot the different parts of the switch machine occur when the switch is thrown trom its reverse and these movements can be easily followed by analog).v to those described, the only ditference being` that the armature of the motor M rotates in thc` opposite direction and drives the driving` pin 23 in the opposite direction.

It is sometimes necessary to be Vable to reversethe switch machine in mid-stroke, tor example, when the switch points are jan'imed by a lump ot coal or the like. This is accomplished by moving the lever L bark to its tormerrposition to energize one or the other pair ot pole-changer coils` and shitt the contact carrier 61 ot the operating rircuit controller to its other position electrically. JAssuming the switch to be normal, the initial unlocking movement ot the locking plunger LP putsthe contact carrier 62 ot the reversing circuit controller RC iu the middle position, as previously described. In this position the pair ot contact springs 157-158 is bridged by contact piece 159, and it the controlling lever L is now put Vvtroller, being tree to move,

back tol its normal indication position, a circuit is established through the normal pole changer voperating coils 6% as tollows conimencing at oneteiminal bat-k tery 124i, conductors 125 and 160, contact springs 161 and contact block 120, condurtors 162, 152 and 163, contact springs 157M 158 and contact piece 159, conductor 161i,

normal pole-changer coils 64, and condurter 165 and the common return connection back to the other terminal otbattery 124.

Consequently, the operating rirciiit con- 'will be shifted to the normal position and thereby Aestablish the normal opera-ting circuit 'tor reversing the direction ot rotation ot' the arma- 'ture ot the motor lilcwhich can be readily traced from analogy to rvthe reverse operating circuit. Thus, the switch n'iachine may -be yreversed at any time inV the parts restored to their former position.

The .so-called reversing contacts serve to cut current i'roin vthe pole-changer coils 63-61i while the switch machine is idle in the normal or reversing position, thus eronoinizing in energy and preventing over-heat- .ing ot the coils. It should benoted that this reversal may after the locking plunger LP has moved 'tar enough to shift the reversing contacts to their middle` position, which is betere the Vswitch has been unlocked.

In other words, the operating parts of the switch machine may be restored to their former positions betore the switch is unlocked, or 'at any time thereafter. Vhen a detector bar is used and the presence of a train on the switch prevents throwing said rdetector bar when current is supplied to the operating motor, the clutch'K' will slip.V i y 1n practice, the switch machine A may be placed on the righthand side ot'4 the switch, instead of on the letthand side, as it is shown in Fig. 1; and in such cases the connections trom the switch points to the throw bar TB and locl: rod .LR would have to extend from the opposite side ot the switch machine. Referring to Fig. `1, a hole is provided in each end ot' the throw bar TB, thus making it possible to make connections at either end without removing the bar or requiring additional or substitute parts. The lock rod LR is likewise adapted for right or` letthand operation, it being nerely necessary to remove the selecting plungers, takeout the bars ot the lock rod and put them in from the other side, the same relative position ot the bars being maintained. The selecting plungers are then again attached in the same relative position as before but to the opposite bars, the saine tapped holes being used in the bars of the lock rod LR Vwith additional holes, which are provided in the brackets of the selecting plungers (see Fig. 3B). This proinid-stroke andv be obtained at any time.

f L vision makes the switch machine applicable to practical working conditionsV without for the incorporation of a pointdetector or j other devices which may be desirable to em` Vmachines of this type, the,

ploy in connection with the swit'ch'machine; but since the point In addition to possessing all 4of the V'de--V sirable features of construction andthe essential operating characteristics of switchl improved switch machine embodying my invention is constructed and organized so that the parts arev V strong Vand jected to stress are designed with generous yet light, and those parts sub,-

proportions and shaped to utilize Ithe material .to the best advantage. F or example, the throw bar, which is required to transmit all of the forces to operate the switch points,

and which vis at times subjected to severeV shocks, is made extra strong andstiif; and thev jaw in this throw bar is shaped and positioned so that the thrust from the driving pin acts substantially on. a longitudinal line through'the middle of the bar, thereby obviatinw the likelihood of this .bar breaking, bend-ing, or becoming distorted in use.l The jaw in the throw bar VTB is also shaped. so that the driving roller 17 holds it in its thrown position until the locking movement of the locking plunger LP ispractically completed. ...This isl accomplished by eX- tending the sides of the jaw, having their faces concentric with the F ig. 14), sideways of the as can be done and allow enter and leave the jaw. avoids unnecessary` friction lock dog 57 vand shoulder 58 bar TB, reduces the wear on the lock dog and said shoulder, and economizes on the power required to'lockup the machine, because otherwise the spring of the switch points or stock rails usually found in practice would force the shoulder ofthe throw bar tightly against the lock dog 5.7.

The switch machine is economical lin its power consumption and wearing qualities, because throw Vbar as far the roller 17 jto This feat-ure between the on the throw the parts have been designed to reduce friction to the mini?V mum, rolling contact being provided wherv detector forms no part, of the V.present invention, it has not been illustrated and described.V rlhe switch ina-1- switch machine is adaptable.

main gear 18 (seev ever practicable.

the various `bearing and `guiding sui-faces, so that with ordinary vmaintenance the 4parts will be properly lubricated. v

The parts subjected to wearare provided with amplebearingj and guiding surfaces. It` will, be noted vthat the lockingplunger LP is guided centrally at itsrpends, thus 0bvi` ating the possibilityof said plunger crampfL ingior binding as it isv movedi backand forth, such asinight occur'if itwere, guided at its edges.

n accountof tant feature of that, while the` parts are strongrand capable of withstanding severe-- construction is lcompact little space that the machinemay be VVapplied to any practicable workingfconditions, re-

gardless of how complicated the track layout may be. This is` particularlyi'true o'flthe gearing arrangement, which', it will `be. ob-v served, takes up very littleV spaceforythe size and strength of the gearsy andthe degreel of gear reduction. Y l Y Y v Y.

My machine is simple in construction, comprises few parts, rand canl be easily and cheaply manufactured and Furthermore, special Yfacilitiesare provided VVfor supplyi-ngoijl to service, the whole and occupies such l the clearancesfexijstingin Y practice, the space ordinarily.available'forr 'a switch machines limited; and one .imporkmy, inventionjis the fact assembled. Siml' ple and effective Yadjustmentsare provided i wherever necessaryv to take up weariorcome pensate for the lslight errors in the sizeand location of parts whichl occur inordinary manufacture; 1F or example, in the caseV of the circuit'controller, theftappet bolts 98 canrbe easily and quicklyadjusted to obtain the desired and proper movement ofthe contact carriers; andu since the adjustment for the normal and reverse positionsis separate, ythe desired correct movementoffthe circuit controllerk can 'be obtainedv even though the parts are notV precisely accurate in size, shape oralignment. The Contact shifter CS, togetherwith the other parts as- Sociated with the operation of thecontact carriers, comprise few and simple parts operating. directly upon each othergandnot likely tobecome'deranged.- The different movements of the contact carriers of the operating circuit controller and the reversing circuit'vcontroller areobtained in a simple and reliable manner by a lost-motion connection.

Accessibility of parts Vfor inspection, re.v pair or adjustment is another vimportant feature of my switch machine. It will'be noted that the various parts or unitsare enclosed in separate compartments v andY are v arranged so that, so far as practicable, there possesses unusual may be eas The clutchy previously explained, without removing any of the gears or other operating parts. The

access to v.thevarious parts.

may be readily adjusted, as l clutchand the several gears may be removed, after taking off the supporting member-27, with the exception of the main gear 18; and by taking off the gear trame GF,

all of the operating gears may be disassembled, Vand direct access had to the throw bar TB and locking plunger LP. Y1n the circuit controlling compartment, the wires (not shown) can be arranged in an orderly and accessible Vway on thel shelf 66, so that the various wires and their connections lmay 'be readily inspected, and in case of trouble, the defective wires or connections maybe located. IThe various contact fingersY may be easily replaced singly, or the whole group of contactv fingers on one ot' the insulated blocks may be removed "for inspection,` 'adjustment or repair, without requiring disconnection of the wires. The unit, including the contact shifter CS and theV contact carrier 62 of the reversing circuit controller, may be readily removed whenever desired, by merely removing the insulatedV bars 65 and their contact fingers G0, and then disconnecting the supporting frame 81, whereupon the entire unit may be tilted and pulledup and out. Also, the pole changer coils 63-64 may be readily removed by taking oft the cover plates TT, and sliding out the coils.

A still Jfurther important feature of my invention resides in the provision of a protective 'device for vpreventing supply of power to the switch machine while it is being cranked by the maintainer. This protective device, while simple and not likely to get' out of order, is effective to prevent the maintainer inserting hisV hand crank until the power is cut off, and also to prevent power vbeing applied to the machine while the hand crank is in place.

Various changes, additions and adaptations may be made in the construction-ot the switch machine shownand described without departing trom'my invention. For eX- ample, alternating current maybe used instead ot direct current tor operating the switch machine; and the machine may be Vemployed for operating a single remote switch. as well as switchesin an interlocking plant.l No attempt has been made to show or describe the various devices vand accessories which might be employed in practice in conjunction with the'switch machine, such as a detector track circuit and electric lock instead of the detector har; and it. should be understood vthat this illustration and description of Vthe invention does not illustrate the various modifications and applications ot my invention.

Although l have particularly described the construction otV one physical embodiment of my invention, and explained the operation and principle thereof; nevertheless, I desire toV have it understood that the Jrorm selected is merely does not exhaust'the possible physical embodiments ot' the idea of means underlying my invention. y s ,j l e y What l claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent ot' the UnitedStates, is z Y '1. A switch machine comprising a driving pin operated in a circular path, and a throw bar connected to the switch poi-nts and having a laterally opening said driving pin, said jaw he positioned to receive the thrust from said driving pin substantially along thelongitudinal center line ot said throw bar.l

2. A switch machine comprising a throw' bar, a driving pin operated in a circular path for operating "said throw bar, and a' locking plunger having a. substantially elliptical shaped cam slot arranged to receive said driving pin, said cam slot being formed with a projecting tongue adapted to limit the movement 0f said driving pin in its extreme positions. Y

illustrative, but`- jaw for receiving mg shaped and' 3. A switch i'nachinel comprising amain gear carrying `a driving pin, a throwbar connected to the switch points and provided with a jaw adapted to receive said driving pin, a motorand'gearing for operating said main gear alternately in opposite directions to reciprocate said throw bar, a locking plunger' reciprocated bysaid'driving pin, and rigid means for 'limiting the movement of said driving pin 'in its extreme positions.

4. A protective device for-a power' operated switch machine `provided withmeans torfacilitating its manual operation,"com prising, in combination with meansv tor supplying power means gt'or preventing the application of power while the machine is` being operated Y manually.

to the switch machine, ofk

l5. In a power oper-ated switch machine..A

provided with an element'adapted to have a hand crank attached thereto to permit manual operation of the switch machine, means tor preventing operation of the switch machine by power, and a protective device associated with said element and compelling operation of said means betorethe hand crank can be attached.

6. An electrically operable switch machine comprising an 'operating part adaptedv to have a. 'hand crank attached thereto topermit manual operation ot the machine, protective means normally preventing attachment ot the crank, and means tor preventing` application of 4current to the switch machine when saidY zprotective ymeans is shifted to allow attachment of said crank.

7. An electrically operableswitch machine mally covering said hub, and circuit controllingV means connected tolsaid guard, whereby said circuit controlling means must be operated 'before the hand crank can be attached.v Y Y 8. A" power operatedswit'ch machineconiprising means vfor facilitatingv the attachment of a hand crank 'thereto to permit manual operation of the inachine,and manually operable -means normally "preventingl attachment of said crank and adapted when movedA out of the way to'cut olf the supply of power to the 'switch machine.

In an electrically operable switch machine, a Ycircuit controller governedjjointly by the lock rod andthe locking plunger'of the machine, comprising. ai movable contact carrier, and a plurality of contact fingers cooperating therewith and each includinga relatively stiff retaining 1 member and a spring having its free end doubled over said member.V j Y. p 1 10. In an electrically operable switch machine, a circuit controller responsive to the movement of Athe lockv rod and locking plunger, and comprising'A a Vmovable contact carrier, acontact shifter for actuating said carrier, and two separate plungers carried by the lock rod and alternately moved into position toshift said Contact shifter to its extreme positions.

l1. A `switch .machine comprising a trainl of gearsf and providedv with means permitting manual mounted thereon on each side of the axis of said shaft, two 'selecting plungers shiftedV in. accordance with Vthe movements of the switch points and each adapted to register with one of said rollers in an extreme position of the switch points, anda locking plunger having a lock dog. adapted to 'engage oneA or the other of saidselecting plungers according tothe position'of the 13. An electrically operated switch machine comprising. a locking plunger, a circuit controller comprising two movable contact carriers, a contact shifter loosely mounted 'on a verticalzshaft and directly connected to one of lsaid contact carriers,

'comprising a throw bar,

A ger for locking Asaid lock rod Operation thereof, a friction' clutch includedk 1n sald'fgear train, said switch.V

means actuated by said'lockingplunger for moving said contact shifterwtoY its middle position upon the-.initial unlockingmove'- mentof said locking plunger,fmeans*oper' ated in accordance with the movement of the switch points and actuated-,by the final locking movement of said ylockingy plunger for moving said .contact shifterto an "eX-. treme position, anoperating arm looselyV mounted on said shaft and directif K nected tothe other' of said.contactca-rriers, and a lost motion connection between-the operating arm and said Contact shifter.

14. An electrically operated switch .nia-

con-1 75 chine for operating. movable switch points 'a lock-rod connected to theswitch points, a locking plun-V and said throw bar,two separate movable circuit controllers governing' theioperating and indication cir-Y cuits, and a contact shifterfor shifting said circuit controllers to their different circuit controlling positions, said Contact shifter being provided withV a lost-motion device whereby` one of saidcircuit operated to a lmiddle' positionby .the initial 1 controllers is unlocking movementiof said-locking plunger ,3 and both of Vsaid circuit controllers are shifted simultaneously to the extreme'Y positionr Y by the final locking movement of said lockr Y. '-.--95 l5. In' a switchV machine, the combination with a maingear havingA arr eccentric drivf pin, of a throw bar havinga-pair-of ing (plunger.Vv

infr latteral projections vwith opposing "faces shaped to conform with'the path ofrnove` ment of the pin when the throw bar is in a corresponding 'extreme position.V said throw bar having a laterally opening j avv/betweensaid projections and near the. longitudinalcenter line of the throw bar for receiving thefdriving pin.' .1, Y

16.3A switch machine comprising a locking plunger mounted toV reciprocate longi-` tudinally in a casing, v.said lplunger having one end thereof forked and vhavingfauenlarged head near said end, saidenlarged,v end being provided with a cam slot, and a guide block extending fromthe casing intol the forked end for guiding said end of said plunger. V Y 17H/A switchmachine comprising circuit controlling controlled circuits for permitting manual operationV of themachine, and means for actuating said lcircuit means includedY in the powerA Y Y they machine, means` v controlling means when said first mentioned means is e'ective.

18.-V In anl electrically operable 'sWitchmachine, a circuit controllercomp-risingea movable contact carrier, said carrier being'mechanically shifted from'one'extreme. position to the other by the locking `movementof the j if.

lockingV plunger of the ,machine7 stationary.

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