US1622044A - Ciecttit conteollee - Google Patents

Description

' i W@ am@ l 9cs -19 L Ma gh 2g J. T. MiLLER ET AL CIRCUIT CONTROLLER Filed Sent. 28, 1925. 2 ShCCsShCe; 2

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Patented Mar. 22, 1927.

UNITED STATES JOHN T. MILLER AND MICHAEL HANLEY, F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

chacun; CONTROLLER.

vApplication tiled September 28, 1925. Serial No. 58,958.

The' present: invention, in general, relates to an electric'circuit controlling mechanism and more particularly to circuit controllers adapted for use in conjunction with electric signals.

The operation ot' police and lire vehicles and the like, is hazardous and exposes the public to considerable' injury. From studies iliade of this matter, it has` been -found that l numerous accidents occur in the immediate vicinity of tire and police stations when such vehicles come dashing out onto the street in response to calls. In the furtherance ot' public safety, we set about devising some way of minimizing the hazards existing at such places. The present invention is the outcome otl our work in that connection.

Now, obviously, one ot' the most practical. as Well as simple ways ot meeting the dangers lurking in the vicinity of these stations, is towar'n the public'by suitable signals whenever a vehicle is about to emerge therefrom. Such signals, however, entail the ptovision of suitable circuit controlling means for causing them toremain operative only 'for a period of timenecessary for thevehicle to reach the road or street.

In many cities tratlic signal systems have been installed. We have. so designed our 3" signalling mechanism that it may be successfully used in conjunction with such traftic signal systems. IVe desire it-understo'od, however, that our invention is not to be limited by such use, but only in so tar as 85 defined by the accompanying claims. An obJect of the resent invention is to provide an improvedp signal system.

Another object of our invention is the provision of circuit controlling means particularlyadapted for use in conjunction with signals. l i

In accordance with the general features of our invention we have provided a sig naling system wherein a circuit controller -causes the signal circuit to be closed for a given period of time, and upon the expi.

ration of that time to be automatically broken. Means is also provided for not only causing the circuit to be closed substantially instantaneously, but -t'or causing the circuit to be opened with a quick break atterthe elapse ofthe previously mentioned period of time.

Other objects and advantages ot' the present invention will 'more fully appear from the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which illustrate one embodiment thereof, and in whicli- Fig. 1 illustrates the circuit for our sig- 60 nahug means and the manner in which it n iaybe associated with an ordinary tratlic signal;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of `our novel circuit controller tor use in conjunction .with $5 the system illustrated in Fig. 1;`

Fig. 3 isa view taken on the line 3-3ot Fig. 2illustrating our` novel switch;

Fig. 4 is a View partly in section, taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. 2; 70 Fig. 5 is a view of a modified form of switch or circuit breaker; and

Fig. 6 is a front view of the structure shown in Fig. v5. Referring now to the drawin s in detail, l5 in which like reference numera s designate similar parts throughout the several views,

10 'denotes a housing or casing preferably made ot' metallic material in which our novel circuit controlling mechanism is positioned. n Our `novel circuit controlling mechanism is designated generally by the reference numeral 11 and comprises, in general, three constructions, namely, a solenoid arrangement 12, an escapement mechanism 13 and 85 al switch device 14.

The escapement mechanism 13 may be of any usual construction, such, for example, as the .escapement mechanism of a clock. In Fig. 2 we havedisclosed an escapement 90 mechanism comprising a frame member 15 attached to the casing 10 by bolts 16. Journaled centrally in this member 15 is a shaft I 16 to which is splined a gear 17. Loosely mounted von this shaft 16 is another gear 95 18 which meshes with a small escapement wheel 19 rotatably carried in the casing 10. Associated with the escapement-wheel 19 is an anchor-shaped piece 20 equipped with two detent points 21 adapted to alternately 100 engage teeth of the escapement Wheel 19. The piece 20 may be pivotally mounted in any desired manner to the casing 10. Associated with the pivot 22 ofpiece 20 is a vane member 23 which serves to retard the oscil- 105 lation o/the anchor-sha ed piece 20. Obviously` each time one o the detents 21 engages the teeth on the escapementwheel 19, the recoil of this wheel caues the detent 21 in mesh therewith to be moved out of en- U0 gagementjand for the other detent to be moved intoengagement. Thus, the anchorshaped piece 20 is caused to oscillate in a manner well known to those skilled in` this art.

Pivotally mounted on one face of the gear wheel 18 is a pawl 25 having a pivot 26. This pa wl is at all times urged into engagement with theteeth of the gear 17. It is of. such a construction that when the gear wheel 17 is turned in a clockwise direction in Fig. 2, lthe wheel 18 is caused to rotate therewith. 0n the other hand, when the wheel 17. is revol'ved in the opposite. direction, the pawl merely rides on the teeth of that wheel and the gear wheel 18 does not revolve with it. Any suitable resilient. means, such as the spring (not shown) may he employed for urging the pawl 25 into engagement with the gear wheel 17.

Surrounding an end ot' the 31 to the trame 15 and at its other end to the shaft 16. This coiled band spring is disposed around the end of the shaft 16 intermediate a face ot' the trame 15 and an arm 31 fastened at one end to the shaft 16. The arm 31 may be detachably mounted lon the shaft 16 in any desired manner. The arm 31 is at all times urged upwardly by the coil spring 30. lts upward movement, however, is limited b v a stop 32 attached to the frame member 15. 1n Fig. 2 we have shown the arm 31 in its uppern'iost position.

The lever arm 31 is equipped with a pair of tripping springs 34 and 35 suitably' attached thereto. The springs 34'and 35 are spaced trom each other by an adjusting stud 36. The fhead 37 of this stud rests against the lower tace ot the tripping spring 35 and the other end of the stud 36 is threaded, as indicated by the reference numeral 38. The threaded end ot the stud passes through a small boss on the free end of the lever arm 31. 'lhis boss is indicated, generally, by the reference numeral 40. Threaded onto the stud 36 are a pair of adjusting screws 41 and 42, one on each side of the bess 40. It is apparent that by turning the adjusting screws 41 and 42 the distance between the ends ot the tripping springs 34 and 35 may be varied, that is to say, the spring may be moved with respect to the spring 34, thus causing the time at which it performs its tripping function in the operation of our device, to be varied.

The lever arm 31 is connected b v a -link` I 5() to our solenoid arrangement 12. The upper end of the link 5() is pivot'ally attached to the arm 31 and the lower end of the link is attached at 51 to an armaturelike member 52 adapted to reciprocate in the inside of a coil of wire Surrounding the coil 53 is a metallic trame 54 which serves as a guide for the plunger armaturelike member 52. Also disposed in the bore of the coil of wire 53 is a stop member 55 morel -shaft' 16 is a` coiled clock spring 30 eonneetcfl'at one end for limiting the downward movement. ot the plunger o r armature member 52. Upon the energizing ot' the coil ot wire 53, as will be fully explained hereinafter, the plunger 52 is drawn downwardly into the coil ot wire or solenoid 53, pulling with it the lever arm 31, and causing our novelescapement mechanism 13 to be Set into operation. y 1

The purpose ot the tripping springs 34 `and 35 is to open and close, the switch 14,

which we shall now` describe in detail.. 'This switch comprises a fiber base 60 having fastened thereto a rubber block 61 (Figs. 2 and 3) Also fastened to this face 60 are a pair of trunnlons 62 and 63 spaced a predetermined distance from cach other. Sultably attached lto the tace 60 are a pair of contact blocks' 64 and 65. As clearly shown in Fig. 3, the trnunions 62 and 63 are disposed intermediate the rubber lblock v61 and the contact terminals 64 and 65. A spring 66 is fastened at one end to .the block 61 by screws 67. 'lhe free end of the spring 66 has attached thereto a contact piece. 68 equipped with two contact points 69 and 70 adapted vto engage with terminals 64'and 65, respectively. The contact piece 68 may be insulated from the spring 66 in any dev sired manner. The middle part oi the spring 66 is provided with a hump or corrugation 7l which is located intermediate the two -trunnions 62 and 63 (Fig. 4),. Engaging this hump or corrugation 71 is a .cam member 78 having a cam surface 79 for engaging the eorrugation or hump 71 on the spring 66. This cam member 78 is equipped .with a projection 8() disposed intermediate the tripping springs 34 and 35 and adapted to be alternately engaged by thesesprings. Passing through each of the trunnions 62 and 63 is a set screw 81. The two set screws 81 pivotally carry the cam member 78 intermediate the trunnions 62 and 63. That is to say, the cam member 78 has a pair ot pointed members 85 (Figs. 3 and 4) which fit into the end of the set screws 81 permitting the cam to be turned. l

Fastened to the casing 10 by bolts 86 is a terminal strip 90 having thereon terminals 91, 92, 93, 94, and 96. Referring now to Fig'l, we shall describe in .detail the man= ner 1n which the terminal Vstrip 90 is conwhose other end is connected by an electrical o conductor 102 to the terminal 91. The electrical conductor 101 is connected at 103 to an electrical conductor 104 fastened to ter-v minal 95 of the strip 90. The terminals 92, 94 and 96 are connected by strap Wires 105.

The terminals 95 and 96 are connected to leads 106 and 107 which in turn are connected to any suitable source of power' (not shown). In practice. we obtain the best re-v sults by using 110 volts D. C. A push button 11() is connected by leads 111 and 112 to terminals 91ai1d 92, respectively.

1Ve shall now proceed to describe in dctail the auxiliary signals operated by anal controlled through our novel circuit con trolling mechanism. 117e shall also describe brieiy the circuit ot' an ordinary tratlic, signal in order to show the relation ot' our auxiliary signal thereto.

'lhe'terminals $13 and 94 are connected to leads or conductors I115 and .116, respectively, ot an electrical circuit designated generally by the reference numeral 117. 'Arranged 1n parallel in the circuit 117 is alamp 119 and a gong 120, The gong and the lamp are so arranged in the circuit that when current is flowing therein both of them will be in operation.

The gong 120 is preferably positioned in the top of a usual traic signal tower andthe lamp 119 is preferably disposed immef diately therebelow. We desire itunderstood,

however, that although we have disclosed our inventlon 1n conjunction with' tratiic signals, it is of course to be understood that it may be applied in other ways without deviating from the features of our invention and that the invention is to be limited only in so far as detlned'by thev accompanying claims. We have indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1, a traic tower designated generally by the reference numeral 125. This tower 125 is equipped with the three usual lamp signals, preferablyyellow. green and red in color. The red denotes Stop; the green denotes Go and the yellow denotes Get ready. These designations are well known in the tratlic signal art. We have indicated the three lamps by the reference numerals 121, 122 and 123. The tower 125 is equipped with the usual light shields 126, as shown in Fig. 1. The lamps 121, 122 and 123 are connected to conductors eminating from the common cable 130 which may connect a plurality of such traffic signals' to a common source of power so that all of the signals are operated simultaneously. It is customary-in connection with such traffic signals to provide ine-ans whereby theymay be operated eitherfautomatically or manually. Such means usually consists of a switch disposed in the vicinity of each tratiic signal for changing the circuit for the said signal from an automatically controlled one to a manually controlled one.

By the reference numeral 131', we have indicated a switch arm or dial for manually operating the lamps in sequence. That is to say, by revolving the dial 131 about its pivot, it may be caused to operate the lamps in a predetermined sequence through its contact with the three Contact terminals` 131, 132 and 133. The lamps 121, 122 and 123 are connected to leads 134, 135 and 136, rcspectively, which are adapted to be connected to the leads 137, 136 and 13.) otl the cable 130. ly operating a suitable switch, the. leads 134. 135 and 136 may be disconnected from thc previously mentioned conductors ot the cable 130 and connected to leads 140, 141 and 142, respectively, ot the manually operated part ot the system. Leads 110, 141 and 142 arc in turn connected to the contact terminals 131. 132 and 133.

All ot' the lamps 121, 122 and 123 arc connected to a common conductor 145 of the cable 130. The dial 131 is connected to a conductor 146 of the cable 1.31). From thc foregoing, it is believed to be obvious that the leads 134, 135 and 136 may be connected to either the automatic part of the circuit or to the manually controlled part of the circuit. Since the operation of the tratiic signal, per se, forms no part of our invention, it. is believed that no further description of the same need be made at this time.

y The circuit 117 has arranged therein a relay 160 which is adapted to connect and disconnect the two parts comprising the electrical conductor or lead 145 common to all three traffic lamps.

We shall now describe the operation of our novel circuit controlling mechanism.

Upon the depression of the button 110 to close the circuit, the solenoid 12 .is energized, causing the link 50 through the plunger 52 to draw` the lever arm 31 downwardly away from the stop 32. This results in energy being stored up in the spring 30. Upon releasing the button 110, the solenoidl 12 is deenergized. Meantime, in the downward movement of the leverl arm 31, the tripping spring 34 is brought into engagement with the projection 8O of the switch 14, causing the spring 66 through the contact piece 68 to connect t the electrical circuit associated therewith.

1t should be noted at this time that the same source of power is utilized for energizing the solenoid and for operating the auxiliary signal, as shall now be described.

Upon connecting the two terminals 64 and 65, current is caused to flow to the lamp 119 and the gong 120, setting both ot them in operation. Also, the relay 160 in the circuit. 117 is energized, disconnectingr the two parts comprising the lead 145 of the traffic signal circuit, thereby rendering all three lamps 121, 122 and 123 inoperative.

As soon as the above takes place, all trattic, as well as pedestrians, in the immediate vicinity of the aforesaid tratic signal 125 are warned of the approach of the fire or police vehicles coming out of their respective stations. The traic of necessity can e two terminals 64 and 65, closing not proceed until the signal lights become operative again and the ire lamp and fire gong 119 and 120 become inoperative.

As is evident, the light 119 and the gong 120 must be operative for a period of time sufficientto enable the fire truck or police vehicle to get under way ou the street or road in the immediate vicinity. Therefore, we have so arranged our mechanism that after a predetermined time-has elapsed thc signal aud the lgong are caused to become inoperative and the trutlic signal then operative. This is accomplished through the novel escapement mcchanismv13. That is to say, before the tripping spring is brought into contactwith the member 80 ot the snap switch or circuit breaker 14, a certain period of time is caused to elapse. This period ot time may be varied either by adjusting the escapen'ient mechanism itself, or by turning the two studs or adjusting screws 41 and 42 ou the adjusting stud 3G. The two tripping springs 34 and 35 in reality constitute alost motion connection between the arm 31 and the member or projection 80 of the switch 14. Avery slight pressure on lthe projection 80 is necessary to operate the cams in either direction. In other words, the tripping springs 34 and 35 exert just enough pressure upon the projection 80 to cause it to snap the switch in either direction. The stop 32, as has been previously stated, limits the upward movement of the arm 31.

The lever arm 31 is caused to be returned slowly, due to the escapement wheel 19 and the anchor-shaped member 20. This escapement construction prevents the immediate dissipation or" the energy stored in the spring 30 by the downward movement of the arm 31.

After the predetermined period of time has elapsed, the tripping spring 35 contacts the projection 80 causing the snap switch or eircuitbreaker toimmediately become operative to break the circuit associated therewith causing the lamp 119 and the gong 120 to become ineective and resulting in the tratiic signal circuit again being effective.

In Figs. 5 and 6 we have disclosed a moditied form of our snap switch lor circuit breaker, It comprises a. slatebase 200 which vce is adapted to be fastened to thevbox or casing'10. Attached to the face of the base 200 are a pair of spaced trunnions 201 and 202 on each ot which is disposed a set screw. 203. Mounted on the other end of the base 200 are a pair of electric terminals 204 and 205. These terminals may be connectedpto the `lead 100 and 101 in the same manner as .our

switch 14 disclosed in Fig. 1 and TEig. 2. Fastened to the face of the base 200 inter,- mediate the trunnions 201 and 202 and the terminals 204 and 205 are another. pair of trunnions 206 and 207 equipped with setscrews 208. Disposed intermediate thetrunnions 20G and 207 is a cam member 209 pivotally carried by the set screws 208 in the same manner as the cam 78 in our other form of circuit breaker.

The cam or trigger member 209 is equipped with a projection 210 adapted to have a' lost motion connected with the arm 31 ot' our device in the same Way as the projection 80 of the other form of switch. A fiat member 211 is equipped with a pair ot pointed studs 212 which are pivotally dis posed in the set screws 203. The studs 212 and the set screws 203 constitute a pivotal mounting for one end of the strip 211. rlhis member 211. may be made of brass or any other suitable material. The other end of this member carries a Contact piece 215 insulated therefrom in any suitable manner. '.l'lis Contact piece is adapted to connect and disconnect the terminals 204 and 205. The

member 211 intermediate its ends passes hetween the trunnions 206 and 207. immediately below the cam or trigger-like member 209 the strip 211 is equipped with an arcuate-shaped projection 217 adapted to be engaged by the periphery of the trigger member 209. r1`he member 211 is at all times urged upwardly about its pivot by a band spring 218 disposed intermediate it and the base 200.

Normally the 'spring 218 will force the member 211 upwardly, causing thecontact piece 215 to be disconnected from the terminals 204 and 205. Upon movement ot the previously discussed lever arm 31, the lost motion connection between it and the projection 210 operates the cam or trigger 209, depressing the member 211 and compressing `the spring 218. This results in the termi nais 204 andv205. being connected and the associated circuit closed.

This same switch may also be employed upon its closing movement to cut out a local alarm circuit which is new in common use to set the alarm into operation upon failure of the operator to receive the first and secand sounds of the incoming call. Y lf so employed, a bridge contact on the movable switch member closes such alarm circuit when the bar is in position to open the auxiliary signal circuit.

1. 11n combination, an electric switch com prising a plurality of electric terminals, a resilient element for connecting the said terminals normally urged away trom the said terminais7 means including a cam for over# coming the urging tendency of the said resild ient c ernent 'to move it into contact with the said terminals, a pull lever, means for pulling the lever from an upper position lto a lower position, an element carried by the said lever for operatingthe said cam ot the switch during the downward movement of the puli lever to cause the said switch to be ies i tac 'l l A noechefe :e

closed substantially instantaneously, means including a spring, a gear train, and an escapement mechanism for slowly returning the pull lever to its uppermost position, and a second elementassociated with the lever adapted upon the return movement of the lever to operate the cam ofthe switch after a, predetermined period of time has elapsed to cause the said switch to be opened with e quick break.- v

2. ln combination, an electric circuit includinfr e, switch, the said switch comprising e plurality of electric terminals, e resilient element for connecting the said. terminals normally urged away from the seid terminels, endineans including o com for overcoming the urging tendency or' the seid resilA ient element to move it into contect with the said terminals, a pull lever, Ineens in cluding a solenoid for pulling the lever downwardly from an uppermost position, en element'carried by the .seid pull lever for operating the cam of the switch to conse the said switch to be closed substantially in stantaneously, means including a clock spring and an escapement mechanism for slowly returning the. pull lever to its' uppermost position, an element carried by the seid pull lever adapted during the upward move 3o ment of the lever etter a, predetermined period of time has clasped, to operate the switch cam, opening the switch with e, quick break, and adjusting means ior varying the time of effectiveness of the said last men-u tioned element. i'

3. In combination, en electrical switch including a plurality of electric terminals, u switch element for connecting said terminals, and an extension associated, with said element adapted to be actuated to open and close said switch, e pull lever, ineens for pulling the lever from one position to ein other, an element carried by said lever for movlng said extension in one direction. during the movement of said pull lever to cause said switch to be closed .substantially in#- stantaneously, means including a spring, u gear train, and an escapement mechanism for slowly returning the said ull lever to its initial position, and a secon element associated with the lever adapted upon the return movementof said lever to actuate the seid extension of the switch after a predetermined period of timehas elapsed to cause seid switch to be opened with a quick breeka ln witness whereof, we hereunto subscribe our names this 22nd day ci September, 19:25.`

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