US2203988A - Railway crossing signal - Google Patents

Description

June N, 1940. F. w. GRlswoLD RAILWAY .CQSSING SIGNAL Filed July 9. 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 11`, 1940.

F. W, GRISWOLD RAILWAY CROSSING SIGNAL 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filld July 9, 1936 Ef i? ufff@ F. w. GRlswoLD- 2,203,988 RAILWAY CROSSING SIGNAL ilod July 9, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 June ll, 1940. F. wl GRlswoLn- RAILWAY (IROSSING SIGNAL mu Juiy 9, 193s 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 JWM??? 202 Frm NK Mfr/swap 5f Patented June 11, 1940 UNITED 1 sTATEs i param certes RAILWAY CROSSING SIGNAL Frank W. Griswold, Minneapolis, Minn. Appneatmn July 9, 1988,` serial No. 89,748 iolaims. (o1. 177-388) This invention `relates to a signal device and while the device may have various` applications, it is particularly designed for use at railway crossings where a `thoroughfare crosses a `railway.` It is desirable at such crossings to have an automatic signal which will be turned to stop position when a train is approaching and which will be turned to nonstop position when the train has left the vicinity of the crossing.

Itis also desirable and convenient to have such a signal electrically operated and to have a minimum of current used, particularly whenthe signal is in non-stop position. It is also desirable to vhave thesignal operated with simple mech- ]5 anism.

i It is an object of this invention. therefore,` `to provide a signal having, simple and eflicient means for moving it to non-stcp position when `there is no train adjacent the crossing and to hold it in such position.

It is another objectof the invention to provide a railway signal `adapted for use at rail- 'Waycrossings havinga Signal member `adapted to `be turned to stop and non-stop positions, said gr, `Signal member being turned to non-stop .position bya plurality of electrmmagnets acting upon an armature preferably having a winding thereon.

` It is a further object ofthe invention to providea railway signal of simple and eiiicient 3de- U :zo sign having electro-magnetic means for operating it tocause it to assume nonfstop position,`

asirnple and* efficient holding means for hold ing it in saidposition, a releasing means `and gravity-actuated means for operating itto cause gy, it to assume stop position.

These and other `objects andxadvantages of the invention will be fully set forth in the following description made in connection with the `acco1n-` panying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to similar parts 'throughout the several views and in whichj Fig. l. isa view in front elevation of the signal; Fig. 2 is a View in side elevation of the Signal; Fig. 3` is a partial view `in vertical section through the casing` and operating mechanism for the Signal;

Fig. l is a horizontalsection taken on line li-Ji.

of 3 as indicated by the arrows; Fig. 5 is a horizontal section taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 3 as indicatedby the arrows;

i Fig. 6 is a view in side elevation as seen from the lower side `of Fig. 5; i

t Fig. 'l is a partial horizontal Sectiontaken `sub- 55 stantially on line l-wl of Fig. 3 as indicated by Saidlamps facing forwardly and rearwardly rethe arrows, some parts being omitted and others Shown in dotted lines;

Fig. 8 is a somewhat diagrammaticview representing in part a horizontal section takensubstantially on line 8 8 of Fig. 3 as indicated by "i the arrows; and

Fig. 9`is a wiring diagram for the signal. l

Referring to the drawings, a` signal is shown comprising a` base member I5. This member is shown as a casting having a cylindrical body l0.

with. a bottom flange 5a and opposite flanges lili extending from its tcp downwardlygand out"u wardly to adjacent the edge of flange Ilia. Said base member preferably is formed of two portions and these are connected by headed and i5.

nutted bolts i extending through bosses ilicon member i5. A Standard or support Il is ainbraced` by base member i5 and upstands there` from, said standard having a 'collar Ila resting upon the top of base member l5. is supported at the top of standard ll, the same having a collar la at its bottom having a plurality of radially extending set screws lli therein engaging standard Il. Standard l is preferably provided at one side with a door giving acg5 cess to the` interior thereof. Brackets 2li are bolted to the; sides of casing'l by bolts 2l, which brackets extend outwardly andare formed angle irons extending vertically in parallel rela tion, the same havingupper portions 2da, con- 3o verging to form a central standard Zlib. Crossed bars.22 are supported at the upper end of portion 20h, said bars being crossed` at theircentral. portions substantially at right angles and having thereon respectively the Words Railroad `cross- 35 ing. Bracket portions Zc extend vertically from the side portions of brackets 2!! to which are bolted the brackets 29d, the same extending hori- Zontally to each side of bracket 2B. Lamps 23 are supported at `the ends of brackets 2M, 40

spectively and havingshields or reflectors 23a at their upper portions., `Annular plates 23h Surround the forward portions of said lamps and re flectors 23a. The faces of plates 23brare of some 45 dark color and whilevarious colors may be used, in the embodiment of the invention illustrated .they are shown as beingiblack. The lenses 23e A casing i3 2G (ifi and arrestive face portion and a narrow edge of non-arrestive appearance. While sign 25 might be of various shapes, in the embodiment of the invention illustrated it is shown as of Octagon shape having sides parallel to the sides of brackets 2U, the corners of said sign at its upper side being substantially parallel to the converging portions 20a respectively of brackets 28. While sign 26 might be of various colors, it preferably is yellow and the same has the word "Stop extending horizontally across its central portion. The letters of this word Stop and the letters of the legend Railroad crossing on bars 22 preferably have small circular reflecting buttons 26a. A bracket 21 is bolted to one side of signZG, the same having a collar 21a extending over a boss |812y forming part of and projecting upwardly from the top of the cover |80 for the casing I8. Bracket 21 has a shaft 2lb extending downwardly through boss |812` and journaled therein. A 2 Tracks sign 28 is placed on the front of casing I8 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The shaft 27h projecting downwardly from bracket 21 has secured to its lower end an arm 29 having a slot 29a in its lower side substan" tially rectangular in cross section. Casing I8 has therein a frame comprising four rods 38 extending adjacent the corners thereof, the upper ends of which are threaded in bosses |.8d on the cover |80. A plate 3| forming part of said frame is supported on rods 3D and has therein a ball bearing 32. A shaft 33 is journaled in bearing 32, the same extending through the central hub of plate 3| and said shaft has a reduced portion 33a at its upper end journaled in a block or bracket 34 secured to the cover |80 by screws 34a. An arm 35 is secured to shaft 33 below bearing 34 and has a roller 35a mounted thereon disposed in the slot 29a. Shaft 33 has secured thereto between bearings 32 and 34, an iron armature 36, having segmental end portions 36a and a reduced. central portion about which is wound a coil 31. Rollers 31h are mounted on plate 3|, Vadapted to be engaged by a stop lug 31o on armature 31. Plate 3| has spaced portions 3| a and 3|-b upstanding therefrom at each side secured by bolts 3 |c forming a channel therebetween in which are disposed electro-magnetic coils 38 of arcuate form. Coils 31 and 38 are energized at certain times, causing armature 35 to assume the position shown in Fig. 4. A pulley or drum 39 having a grooved periphery is secured to shaft 33 immediately below plate 3| to which is secured a hook 40. A vchain 4| has its end link engaging hook 48 and extends around pulley 39, said chain extending` downwardly over grooved pulley 42, the periphery of which is in horizontal alinement with the periphery of pulley 39. Pulley 42 is journaled on a stud 43 supported in a bracket`44 depending from plate 3|, which bracket has a lug 44a acting as a guide for ychain 4|. Chain 4| has its other end secured to a stud Ma slidable through a weight 4|b, said stud having an enlarged lower end forming a shoulder and being surrounded by a compression spring 4|c, one endof which engages said shoulder and the other end of which engages the top of a recess 4|d formed in weight 4|b, in which recess studl 4| a is disposed. Shaft L 33 has secured thereto below pulley 39 an arm 45 41 upstandng vfrom a swinging arm 48.` Stud 41 has split keys 49 extending therethrough at one side of arm 48 and at one side of bracket 46. A stud `5|) projects downwardly from plate 3| and the same has a small bracket 5| secured to one side thereof, which bracket has secured thereto a sear or leaf spring 52, one end of which projects freely from bracket 5|. Bracket 46 has an arm extending at an angle thereto somewhat larger than a right angle, the same having an end 46h bent substantially at a right angle, the end of which is adapted to engage spring 52. Arm 48 is mounted for swinging movement about a stud 53 depending from plate 3| and is held thereon by the split key 54. Arm 48 has adjacent its free end a block 48a forming an armature adapted toengage and be attracted by an electro-magnet 55 mounted on a bracket 56l secured to a bracket 51 by the headed and nutted bolts 58, bracket 51 being secured to plate 3|. A can 6|! issecured to shaft 33 between pulley 39 and arm 45. Said cam has spaced lugs 69a depending therefrom, through one of which extends a set screw 6| having a -jamb nut thereon, the end of said set screw projecting from one side of lug a and engaging one side of arm 45. The opposite side of said arm has a recess formed therein in which is seated a coiled compression spring |53,` one end of which projects from said recess and engages the other lug 60a. Spring 53 is of considerable strength. With said construction the angular position of arm 45 can be varied somewhat by manipulation of set Ascrew 6| Cam 68 has a peripheral portion 69h adapted at times to engage a roller 68e mounted on arm 48. Said cam has another peripheral portion 59d which is adapted to engage a pin 64 projectingv from a switch member55. v, Cam 6|) vhasv a recess 611e between portions 50h and 69d and a pin 65 projects upwardly from said cam adjacent one end of portion 59d. Pin 56 is adapted at times to engage with a surface or shoulder 65a formed on switch member 65. Switch member 65 is pivotally mounted on anpin 61 depending from plate 3|,the same being held thereon by a split key 61a. Switch member 65 carries an upper contact member 69 and a lower contact member 10. Switch member 69 is radapted to connect switch contacts 1| and 12 carried on insulation blocks 13 and 14' respectively. The contact member 1| is mounted in a holder lla, the same being bent at one end to form a semi-cylindrical socket in which the enlarged end of member 1| is seated "and swingable. Member 1|a has arms or clips 1lb extending over the sides of member 1|.

A headed pin 15 has its head engaging the a remote side of member 1I@ and extends through member 1|, the same having a washer 16 adjacent its end held thereon in any suitable manner as by a pin extending through member 15. A coiled compression spring 11 surrounds pin 1,5 betweenwasher 15 and member 1| so that the free end Vof member 1| may yield somewhat against the tension of spring 11. Contact member 1| is provided with a binding post 1 |c. Contact member 12 is mounted in a holder 12a having a curved socket portion which one end of member 12 is disposed. Holder 12a has clips 12b extending over the sides of `member 12 and a headed pin 18 has its head engaging the remote side of holder 12a and extends through I.

the same and through member 12 the same havin'gr a washer 19 held thereon in any suitable manner. A coiled compression spring 8|) surrounds pin 18 between washer 19 and member 12 so that the latter is yieldable away from holder 12a against the tension of spring 8H. Contact member 12 is provided with'a binding post 12e.

l Contact member TU is adapted to connect contact `members 8l and contact members 82'. These are ers lla, 12d, Sla and 82a have flatportions en- `is connected to contact member 12.

; of the other electro-magnet winding 38. ductor ID3 extends from one end of the latter winding `3d to electro-magnet winding '55..` A' conductor IM `extends from winding 55 to con- `gaging the blocks 13 and I4 provided with elongated` slots through which pass the securing screws 83. Holder 82a is provided with a binding post 82e. The blocks 13 and T4 are secured by screws 84 to a bracket 85 carried on stud 58.

A block 86 is shown in Fig. 3` secured to plate 3l and equipped with bindingposts 8l for ren ceiving the conductors or conducting `currnit to coil 31.

In Fig. 9 a wiring diagram is shown including a battery or source of current 53 from the poles lof which conductors 9! and 92 extend respectively to the rails 53 of the railway track adjacent the signal. Conductors 94 and `95 ex-` tend respectively from conductors 5l `and SZ to an electro-magnet coil 95. lCoil 36 is adapted to attract, when energized, a swinging armature l 'liand hold it in engagement with a `contact 193 to which extends a conductor 82. Conductor 99 is connected to a conductor` Hill, which in turn Swinging contact member 55 is shown isalso contact member 1l. A conductor lill extends from conductor "Il to one end of one electro-magnet wind-- ing 38.` A conductor |02 extends from the other end of electro-magnet winding 33 to one end A conductor 99. A3conductor` H15-` also extends from `contact 'H to one end of winding or coil and another conductor HMS extends from the other end of this coil to conductor ID3. The` swinging arm 48 `is shown as is also the locking member 45 and arm 45. l

. `Another battery or source of current HH `is shown for the signalcircuits` proper. A conductor 158 extends from one end or pole of batterynlll'l to armature 91. A conductor IBS `extends from conductor [Uli `to contact member 82. adapted to connect contact members 82 and pill. A conductor H extends from one end ofbati tery |01 to lamp 25 and a short conductor, lll

l A conductor HZeXtends trom` conductor Hl! to conductor E33. A conductor` li3extends-from` v position shown in` Figs. l and 2.

extends .from lamp 25 to kcontact member 8i.

conductor H122` to an oscillating flasher contact H4. `Contact H4 isadapted alternately toen` gageccontacts H5. A conductor `H5 extends from one contact H5 to one lamp 2.5 `andra `con-- ductorlll extends from the other sideof this lamp to contactymember Btl `through conductor l HI. A conductor HB extends `from the other. l contact l l5 to the otherlampfi anda conductor Hextends from this latter 'lamp `to conductor In` operation when no train is in thevicinity of the crossing the signal will `be disposed with the edge of plate .25 directed toward the highway so that `said plate will be at right angles to' the extends substantially parallel to the highway` and the face thereof is not visible to trahie approaching the railway crossing. At thisltime the electrol magnet 95 shown inrFig. 9 is energized an-d armature 91 is held against Contact 9B. Electro-mag- Swinging contact member is `shown i Plate 251 then holding armature 48a thereagainst. The weight 4 lb is acting by gravity to pull on chain 4|, tending to rotate shaft 33 and turn the signal to stop position or the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Since the effort exerted by arm 451s directed at oneside` of the pivot 53 of arm 48, the weight is exerting a turning movement on `arm 48 but at l avery disadvantageousangle. Said arm cannot turn because magnet is holding armature 48a.

Shaft 33 cannot turn'because arm 45 is engaging arm 45a. The signalis thus locked in non-stop position and as` stated is under stress of weight 4|b to move to stop position. Magnet 55 takes very little current asY it has ahigh resistance winding. When a train approaches the crossing, rails 93 are connected by the locomotive and cars and battery 95 is short circuited. Suiiicient cur` rent does not then flow to magnet `96` to hold armature 9T and it drops down against the stop 81a. rl'his opens the circuit through magnet 55 so that armature 48a is no longer held. The

stress on shaft33 and arm 45 now swings arm 48 in. a clockwise direction about its pivot 53. it thus swings the terminal 45h of arm 'it` is moved against spring 52 and member 4B is swung in `a counter-clockwise direction about its pivot 4l. Arm 45a, is swung away fromshoulder 45a, `as

shown in dotted lines in Fig. 8, so that arm 45 is Ii. released. The weight lib which is quite heavy now turnsshaft 33 and arm 35 acts on arm 25` `through roller 35a to swing sign 25 ninety de grecs to the stop position shown in Figs. l and 2.

The face of sign 26 now faces the highway and trahie is warned that a train is approaching.

shaft 33 revolves in a counter-clockwise direction,`

peripheral portion 65h of cam 5l] soon engages roller e and arm 48 is held in position with armature Maadjacent magnet 55. turns, one side of recess 60e enga-ges pin 54 and this swings switch member in a clockwise directionabout its pivot 61 and contact member AS JI'.

As cam 5i) 69 connects contact members Tl and l2. Peripheral portion 65d engages pin 54 andholds switch member 35 in connecting position asshown in Fig. 8. When contactlmembers lll and 'l2 are connected, part `of a circuit is completed through the coils 3'! and 38, this circuit extending through conductors 99, lllll, Contact members l2,

55 and 'H and through conductors Uil, H15, lili, IBB, H33 and H2 to battery 57. However,

the'circuit is open at contacte and armature Si. i

When the signal is in stop position Contact mem" `loer 'lll is also swung with contact member 55,

the same being connectedvand contact members 5l `and 32 are connected. A circuit is now closed through lamp 725 which, referring to Fig. 9, can

be `traced from battery HH, Vthrough conductor H18, conductors |06, contact members 37?., 7b and y 8l, conductor Hl, lamp 25 and conductor H0 to battery I0?. Lamps 23 are `alternately illuminated and extinguished by operation of flasher mem-y ber `H4. The circuits for these` lamps `can be traced from battery 101, conductor H0, conv ductor H2y conductor H 3, member H4, contact H5, conductor H6, lamp v23, conductor Il?, conductor HI, contact members 8l, "EB and 82, conductor |09 and conductor iilto `battery it?. The circuit for the other light will pass through from flasher member H4, contact H5, conductor i i8, lamp 23 and conductor H9 to conductor Ill and thence to battery |01 as already described.

The signal is thus in stop position with lamps 23 flashing and the bars or sign 22 illuminated; A very conspicuous warning isthus given traliic on the highway to stop.

When the train leaves the vicinity of the crossing the short circuit caused by connection of `rails 93 is removed and current again ows to magnet S6 and armature Slis attracted. A clrcuit is now closed through the windings 38 and 3l and armature 36 which, while the signal was in stop position, had its segmental portions 36a. at 90 degrees from the showing in Fig. 4 or between the ends of coils 38, is now attracted and quickly moved to the position shown in Fig. 4. This turns shaft 33 in a clockwise dlirection as shown in Figs. -5 and 8, `pulley 39 is turned and chain M is wound up on pulley 39 moving over` pulley t2 and weight Mb is again raised. As cam (il) swings with shaft 33, pin 66 engages the side or surface 85a of switchmember 65 and said member is swung in a counter-,clockwise direction about its pivot 61 so that contact members 69 and "iii are swung to disconnect contact members 'Il and 12 and contact members 6I and 82. When this occurs the circuit through the magnet coils38 and through the armature coil 31 is broken and Aarmature 33 remains in the position shown in Fig. 4. When armature 9'! was yattracted it engaged contact memberf98 and the circuit was again closed through magnet 55 and the latter energized. Armature y43a is again held and arm @5 moves into positionto engage the end of arm 86a. The signal has now again been moved to non-stop position.` When contact lmem-ber 'i8 was swung to disconnect contact members 8| and 82, lamps 23 and 25 were extinguished and the Signal was no longer illuminated. When the descent of weight Md is stopped by lug 3'lc engaging the stop 31h' on plate 3i spring Mc cushions the shock. Lug 31e engages the other stop 31h to stop armature 36 when the signal is moved tonon-stop position.

Froin the above description it is seen that applicant has provided a very simple and very efflcient structure of railway signal. The magnet coils 38 exert great force onarmature 331 and act quickly to turn shaft 33 and place the signal in non-stop position after the train has left the vicinity of the crossings. While the signal is being held in non-stop position very little current is used. When the signal plate or sign 26 is in its two positions arms 35 and 29 are disposed substantially at right angles so that the signal cannot be turned by force applied to sign plate 25. The use oi the magnet coils 38 and armature 3S eliminates the necessity for a regular electrical motor and the necessity for reduction gearing between shaft 33 and such a motor. A very compact structure is thus produced and one that operates with great certainty and precision. The

signal has been amply demonstrated in actual practice and found to be very successful and efficient.

It will, of course, bev understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangement and proportions of the parts, without departing from the scope of applicants inven* tion,wh'ch generally stated, consists in a device capable of carrying out the objects above set forth in the parts and combinations of parts disclosed and dened in the appended claims.

What isv claimed is? 1.v A railway signal having in combination, a signal member adapted to be turned to stop and non-stop positions, means for moving said signal to non-stop position including a shaft, a member carried by saidl shaft, a swinging arm having a locking means for engaging said member to hold said shaft in position when said signal is in non-stop position, an electro-magnet for holding said arm in position with said means engaged, said arm carrying an armature for said electromagnet, said shaft being disposed to swing said arm away from said electro-magnet at a disadvantageous leverage so that when said armature is engaged with said electro-magnet said arm will be easily held thereby 'and means on said shaft for moving and holding said arm adjacent said `electro-magnet when said signal moves to stop position.

2. A railway signal having in combination, a signal member adapted to be turned to stop and non-stop positions, means for moving said signal to non-stop position including a shaft, a second member carried by said shaft and rotatable therewith, an electro-magnet, an arm pivoted adjacent one end to swing about an axis spaced from said shaft, said arm having an armature adjacent its other end adapted to engage said electro-magnet, a locking means carried by said arm comprising an angle arm pivoted thereto, one end of whichengages said second member tohold said signal in non-stop position, a third member engaged by the other end of said angle arm to swing the same upon movement of said swinging arm and release said second member for permitting it to swing past said arm and to permit said signal member to be moved to stop position.

3. A railway signal member having in combination', a casing, a signal member mounted above said casing for movement to stop and non-stop Ipositions, means for moving said signal to nonstop position including a shaft, a locking arm secured to said shaft, means for varying the an-` gular position of said arm, a swinging arm pivoted to swing about anl axis spaced laterally from said shaft, an armaturecarried by said swinging arm, an electro-magnet engaged by said armature, a locking member of angular form swing# ingly mounted on said swinging arm adjacent the pivoted end of the same one end of said member ybeing adapted to engage said locking arm to hold said signal in non-stop position, a member engaged by the other `end of said locking member and adapted to move the same to release said locking arm upon movement of said swinging arm away from said electro-magnet and means for energizing said electro-magnet when said signal member is in non-stop position andI deenergizing the same when said signal member is to move to stop position.

4. A railway signal having in combination, a signal member adapted tojbe turned to stop and non-stop positions, means for moving said signal to non-stop position including a shaft, a member `carried by said shaft, an electro-magnet, an arm pivoted adjacent one end to swing about an axis spaced from saidshaft, said arm having an armature adjacent its other end adapted to engage said electro-magnet, a movable locking means carried by said arm adapted toengage said member when said signal is in non-stop position with said armature engaging said electro-magnet, said shaft andmember :being disposed to swing said arm away from said electro-magnet at a disadvantageous leverage so that when said armature isV engaged with said electro-magnet saidarm will be` easily held thereby, a cam on said shaftv engaging said arm shortly after said locking means is released upon said signal member moving `to stop position to move and maintain said armature close to said electro-magnet.

, 5. A railway signal device having in combination, a casing having a plate-like top cover portion, a plate 4supported within said casing and spaced below said cover portion, a magnet coil bracket upstanding from said plate, a` pair of `electric magnet coils on said bracket, said coils being spaced from each other, a vertical shaft jiiuri'laled` in said plate `and in said cover portiona signal member mounted above said casing` and operatively connected to said shaft so as to oscillate in unisonwith it, an armature carried` f centrally on said shaft above said plate and disposed between said coils, so that,iwhen energized said signal will be moved to non-stop position, means supported from the lower side of said plate for holding said signal in non-stop position after i said coils are de-energized, and means secured to said shaft tending to turn the same to move said signal to stop position so that said signal will.

move to stop position when said holding means becomes inoperative. l

6.` A railwaylsignal device having in 'combinaption, a casing having a plate-like top cover p0rtion, a plate supported within said casing and spaced below said cover portion, a magnet coil bracket upstanding from said plate, a pair of electric magnet coils on said bracket, said coils n being spaced from each other, a Vertical' shaft` `journaled in said plate and in said cover portion,

a signal member mounted above said casing and operatively connectedto said shaft so as to oscil-` late in unison with it, an armature carried centrally on said shaft above said plate and disposed between said coils, so that, when energized said 1 signal will be moved to non-stop position, means supported from the lower side of said plate for holding said signal in non-stop position after said coils are de-energized, said shaft extending through said plate and means secured to said shaft adjacent the lower side of said plate tending to turn said shaft to move said signal 'to stop position so that said signal will move to stop `position when said holding means becomes inoperative.

l 7.`A railway signal device having in combination, a casing having a plate-like top cover portion, a plate supported withinv said casing and spaced ybelowfsaid cover portion, a magnet coil bracket upstanding from said plate, a pair'of electric magnet coils on said` bracket, said coils being spaced from each other, a vertical shaft journaled in said: plate and in said cover portion, a signal member mounted above said casing and operatively connected to said shaft so as to oscillate in unison with it, an armature carried centrally on said shaft above said plate and disposed between said coils, so that, when energized `coils are deenergized whereby said signal will move to stop positionwhen said last mentioned means becomes inoperative. i

FRANK W. GRISWOLD.

Images