US2223714A - Pump actuating mechanism for rail lubricators - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 3, 1940. s. E. BATES ET AL PUMP ACTUATING MECHANISM FOR RAIL LUBRICATORS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 9Q s n r. Q N ek WWW/f I W vi, .1 a v F@ f f v I 4 Q n 0 io ,m m m. Kw wmyww NM MN \m u MwN A w p wmfi n a Filed Feb. 21, 1958 s. E. BATES ET AL PUMP ACTUATING MECHANISM FOR RAIL LUBRICATORS Dec. 3, 1940.

Filed Feb. 21, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 W w m. M; a llhl I \N/ m5... m m f I o I Mm Dec. 3, 1940. 5 E BATES ETAL 2,223,714

PUMP ACTUATING MECHANISM FOR RAIL LUBRICATORS Filed Feb. 21, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 s" 2 s Th z i ii #009725;

5 Sheets-Sheet 4 5. E. BATES ET AL PUMP ACTUATING MECHANISM FOR RAIL LUBRICATORS Filed Feb. 21, 1938 V Dec 3, 1940.

Imfen 0T5 Jib Iggy fa a and T500205 5506102022 F 172272012: @Jrmz'er UNITED STATE Patented Dec. 3, 1940 ware Application Februarylfil, 1938, SerialNo; 7 V

Claims. (oris sy :*This invention relates to certain new and use: fulimpro'vements in pump actuating mechanism for-rail and wheel flange lubricators and more particularly'to pump actuatingmechanism ineluding a reciprocating plunger supported on a rail at one sidethereof and adapted to be operated byv contact with passing car wheels.

. -Wheelengaging plungers in the form of recipe rocating studs havebeen used heretoforein rail and wheel flange lubricators as valve members and as direct acting lubricant pumps, but they have been regarded as wholly unsuitable for imparting operating movement to lubricant pump-s located at substantial. distances from. the rail. The sudden impact, when a car wheel strikes such plunger and the consequent highvelocity movement imparted toit and the shaft connections-from Iav position vofrest imposes severe strains on the" pump mechanism and the operatingconnections. It has been customary, heretofore; to operate such pump mechanism by means-0f relatively long wheel engaging levers arranged-along one side of the rail or by other speed reducing lever connections interposed between a wheel engaging element and the pump;

An objector the present invention is to provide,

' in a rail and wheel flange lubricating apparatus,

compact and relatively inexpensive pump actuating' mechanism including a wheel engaging plunger-for imparting-movement 1 to a pump shaft-,-the mechanism being such as to prevent unduestrains being imposed-on the pump or other operative connections by the suddenim- ,pact-"orstarting movementof the plunger when itis struck-by a car wheel.

"*According'to the invention, the pump operat? ing" mechanism includes "a; shaft extending "from the location of the pump-to the rail and is conhected "to aplunger adapted to be depressed by engagement with a wheel passing along 'arail. The plunger isso constructed and connected to the shaft as to avoid the strains ordinarily iinposed on a shaft'and pum'p structure when a wheeliactuating plunger is connected'directly to the shaft] In oneembodimentpf the invention, thesl' 'aft isoperated' by niea'nsof spring pressure duringi'the return or upward .movementof the plunger. ,In another embodiment, the pump is operated during a downward movement "of the plunger by a resilient cushion, preferably acornpression spring, interposed in the plunger so as to. absorb the shock incident to the impact of the wheel against the upperiend of the plunger, the

operating; force being thereby exerted on the.

shaft through thesaid compression springt cushion.

'Another more is pecific Data or the me t rs to. provide improved ratchet means for effecting operative; connection between a vertically 'operated plunger member and the operating shaft of a lubricant pump,"whe'reby a relativelvishorft j movement of the'plun'g'er may be fully translated into an operating movement ofthe'shaft. In=this connection the invention provides means; for adijusting the actuating 'detent and/or the holding detent, so that. both of these members-:willbe fully engaged 'with-I-the .ratchetwheel; I

Other objects and advantages. of the invention will be readily. apparent-from thefollowingqdee tail. descriptions of the two embodiments illustrated inthedrawingsz I l I 1 Inthe'drawingsz r 1 Fig. 1 is a plan view'of. a rail and'wheel flange lubricatingapparatus provided with a pump actuating mechanism made in accordance with this invention;

Fig.2 is a" side view,' on-a larger scale than-Fig. I

1, illustrating the manne'r in which the pu shaft'actuatin'g mechanism is 'adjustably secured;

on the rail;

Fig. 3 is'a vertical sectional view taken through I the lubricantreservoirand part of.the'-pump ac:-

tuating mechanism; .1 i

Fig. -4 is a view: in perspective of a "ratchet mechanism illustratedinFigB; i

Fig. 5. is a sectional view taken'through' the rail substantially on 1ine15--5' of Fig. 1 and-lookingin the direction indicated bythe arrow:

Fig.6 isan-L end view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 5 with-the'end cover of the caSing-removed and. with a portion of the cover engaging flangebroken away.

. Fig. 7. is a fragmentary sectional view'taken "on line 1-. -1 of Fig. 16 to illustrate the eccentric'bolt for. varying: the position of: the actuating :detent. :Fig; 8. is a view similaktd'F'ig. '3 but illustrating a .reciprocatingcpu-inp.Sand "a -wheel actuated 1 mechanism .whichis particularly suitable for such formof pump...iv i;

- 'Fig. -9 isa sectional eview on or with partof the clamp omitted. r Fig. 10; is. a cross section taken through the lubricant, distributor, the', rail,rand theiwheel a'c-- tuated plunger mechanism,; the,said section being i is a sectionalv-plan vview takenon-ilineinclusive Bf 30 mechanism -employed' the shaft operating secured to the rail. The said distributors may be 7 of any suitable construction adapted to discharge lubricant at one side of a rail head so that the lubricant will be spread along the side face of the rail head and/or picked up by the flanges of car wheels passing along the rail.

Inasmuch as the distributing members and the reservoir structure is shown herein merely to illustrate a complete operative structure and do not in themselves constitute a material part of the present invention these members of the lubricating apparatus will not be described in detail. Any further detail of operation may be had by reference to the Bates and Overmier Patent No. 2,055,140 dated September 22, 1936.

The pump I2 is operated by means of sprocket and. chain. connections IS with a flexible. shaft designated as a whole by. the reference numeral 15.. The said shaft 16 is made flexible so that it will automatically adjust itself to compensate for movements of the rail relative to the pump, :during the passing of traffic over the rail. The end section I] of the flexible shaft extends into a casing L8 which encloses mechanism, including a wheel actuated plunger I9, for imparting operating movements to the shaft.

. The mechanism casing I8 is preferably adjustablyysecured to a supporting bar 20 at the outer sideof the rail by means of angular brackets 2I 2I (Fig. 2) there being slots 2I in the angle brackets for the fastening bolts 22; the supporting bar-2E1 1's adjustably supported near its ends on clam-p brackets 23-43 and is supported in? term-ediate its ends by adjusting screws 23 which bear on the top surface of the rail base flange. The plunger I9 is preferably cylindrical .andis supported in the casing I8 in a position inclined transversely of the rail (Figs. 3 .and 5).

By positioning the plunger in the inclined positio.-n, the length of the plunger may be made substantially greater than the height of the rail and the upper end of the plunger may be positioned relatively close to theouter side face of the rail head for contact with the tread portion of a wheel. The diameterofthe upper portion 24 of the plunger is'preferably less than the body portion and extendsthrough' a suitable bearing 25 in the casing The shoulder 26 at the lower end of the reduced portion of the plunger serves asa stopto limit the .upward movement of the plunger. Ihe plunger is supported .in its normal position by means of a coil spring 21. The upper portion of the spring extends into a cylindrical pocket formed in the lower end. of the plunger and the lower end of the spring seat on .a removable plug 28. The plunger is operatively connected, as hereinafter described, to the end sections ll of the flexible shaft, the latter being journaled in bearings 29 and 30 in the removable closure head 3| and the rear wall, respectively, of the casing I8.

mechanismfor connecting the plunger I9 with theflexible shaft comprises a ratchet wheel ".32 fixed to the section I 1 of the shaft and an oscillating lever means mounted loosely on the shaft adjacent to saidratchet wheel. The lever means comprises a hub portion 33 (Fig. 4) formed at one side with a projection 34 adapted to extend into a horizontal slot 35 formed in the plunger. The upper and lower faces of the projection M are preferably curved so as to bear against the walls of the slot 35 during all angular positions of the lever. At the other side of the said hub portion 33 it is provided with two radially projecting arms 36 and 37. An actuating detent 38 is pivotally supported on a bolt 39 fixed adjustably in the outer end of the arm 36. The actuating detent normally hangs downwardly and is provided at its lower end with a plurality of teeth 40 adapted to engage the teeth of the ratchet wheel. A spring II positioned in a spring pocket 42 on the arm 31 bears against the outer face of the detent 31 so as to hold it in engagement with the ratchet wheel at all times. A holding detent 43 is pivotally supported on a bolt 64 which'screws into a lug 45 projecting inwardly from the inner wall of the casing I8. The free end of the holding detent is provided with .a plurality of teeth 46 adapted to engage the teeth of the ratchet wheel 32. The tooth end portion of the holding pawl :is held in engagement with the ratchet wheel by means of a coil spring fill positioned in a spring pocket in the lower portion of the casing I 8. The compression of the spring 46 may be adjusted by turning a plug 48 which serves as a "closure for the spring pocket.

In order to insure proper engagement of the detent 38 with the teeth of the ratchet wheel and thereby avoid any substantial lost motion at the beginning of the downward movement of said detent, and in order. also to insure proper engagement of the holding detent 4'3 with the teeth of the ratchet wheel at the end of each operative movement of the wheel, one or both of the detents maybe adjusted to shift the pivotal axis thereof. The means for adjusting the detent 38 comprises an eccentric portion 49 formed on the pivot bolt .39. It will :be seen by inspection of Figs. 6 and '7 that rotation of the pivot bolt 38 in a counterclockwise direction moves the eccentric portion of the bolt in a direction to elevate the detent 38 relative to the ratchet wheel and that rotation of said pivot bolt in the other direction lowers the detent relative to the ratchet wheel. The means for adjusting the detent 43 comprise an eccentric bushing 43 fixed in an opening at the pivot end-of the detent and a set screw 43* for holding the eccentric bushing in any desired position of adjustment. Rotation of the bushing in the holding detent in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 6, serves to increase the effective length of the detent. Rotation of the said bushing 43 in the'other direction serves to shorten the efi'ective length of the detent. In this way the detent 43 can be accurately positioned to engage one or more teeth of the ratchet wheel at the end of each partial rotation thereof.

In order to'insure thorough lubrication of the parts, the casing is partially filled with a suitable lubricant before the closure head 3| of the casing is applied. A removable plug 50 in the head (Fig. 2) permits ready inspection of the lubricant and the introduction of additional quantities thereof from time to time.

In operation, the portion of a wheel tread which overlies the outer side face of a running rail engages the upper end of the plunger I9 so as to depress this member. During the downward movement of the plunger the ratchet lever means is rocked in a-direotion to elevate'the actuating detent 38. As soon as the car wheel passes off the plunger the compression spring'Zl forces the plunger .upwardly. *Duringl the upward movement of theplunger the pressure of spring 21, acting through the ratchet mechanism, effects a partial rotation of the flexible shaft l6. This partial rotation. of the shaft imparts .a pumping movement'to. the pump l2 by. means of the chain and sprocket connection. l5. .The lubricant withdrawn from the reservoir I0 is forced by. the pump through-the conduits ,|,3?-|3 to the distributors, I l-l4, the latter members serving to discharge the lubricant at locations where it is brought into contact with theinner. face of the rail head and the.flanges of passingcar wheels.

Referring now to, the modified embodiment illustrated in Figs. 8 to 11 inclusive, of the draw-J ings: ,5! designates, as a whole, a plunger mechanismsecured in a casing.52,,the latter of which isxadjustably supported on a supporting bar 20 by means of bolts53. extending through elongated slots 54. The said supporting bar 20 is provided at its ends with adjustingscrews 20 I whereby the bar may be raised or lowered relaillustrated inthe previous embodiment, comprising the clamp 23, a clamp jaw 13 and a connecting bolt 14.. The said plunger 5| comprises an outer cylindrical member and an inner member 56,the inner member is connected to the outer member by means of a pin. 51 which extends through an opening 58 in the inner member. .The said opening 58 is somewhat .larger thanthe pin. 51 so, that the inner and outer members of the plunger may move relative .to eachother when a car wheel strikes the upper end of the plunger. This relative movement is resisted by a compression spring 59 interposed between .the outer and inner members of the plunger.v The said spring absorbs the initial against the plunger and converts this force into resilient pressure which is transmitted through a. lever 6|] to the flexibleshaft 6|. The said relative movement of the plunger members is, preferably, limited by the shoulder 62 whichengages the upper edge'of the inner member 56 when the spring 59 is substantially fully compressed. A screw bolt 63 (Fig. 10) extends through the casing and projects into a slot 64 in the outer member of the plunger to .hold the plunger against rotary movement. This bolt, serves also as a stop to limit upward movement of the plunger in the casing. The outer end of the lever 60 extends into aslot 65 formed in the, lower end of the outer member of the plunger. Preferably, this end of the lever is curved and extends upwardly as indicated at 60 so as to permit a relatively close arrangement of the plunger and the shaft 6| and atthe same time insurecontact of the lever at substantially the center of. the plunger inner member 56 during all angular positionsof the lever. 1 The outer end of the flexible shaft 6| extends into the pump casing and is pro- .vided with a lever arm 66 which bears onthe upper end of a reciprocating pumpmember 61 mounted ina casing-Won a lubricant supplyreservoir 69. A compression spring 10 surrounding a portion of the pump piston BLholds the pump in its normal up position and thereby holdsthe' plunger 5| in its up position and in the path of travel of a car wheel. '1

In operation, a car wheel passing along the rail engages anddepresses the, plunger'5|. The initial impact of the wheel against the plunger is absorbed by the compression spring 59 so as to relieve the lever 60 and the other pump operating mechanism from they shockof said impact. Downward movement of the plunger 5| imparts a rocking movement to the lever 60 and to the shaft 6|. This movement of the-shaft rocks the lever arm 56 downwardly and forces the pump (i'lv downwardly. The downward movement of the pump compresses the spring. Ill and also forces lubricant past a ball valve 'll and thence through the conduits |3 to the lubricant distributor M As soon as the car wheel passes over the plunger 5| the reaction of the compression spring 1|] returns all of the operating parts to the positions shown in Figs. 8 to- 11, inclusive,

of the drawings so that the parts will be inreadiness for another pumping operation. p

The discharge means M shown in this modification may be andpreferably is of thesame general construction as illustrated in Fig. 3. It is supported on the rail by means of a vertically adjustable bar 12 and pedestal clamp members I3.

' ''While the invention is illustrated inconnection with two specific embodiments it will be obvious that various changes in specific constructionmay be made without departure from the principles of the invention disclosed. It should beunderstood, therefore, that the invention is not to be limited to the structureshown and described except insofar as they appear in, theappended claims. I I l v I I We claim: I

1. In a rail and wheel flange lubricating appa-I ratus, the combination with means for delivering lubricant to the rail comprising a pump and operating connections therefor including a shaft; cfmeens for imparting movement'to said shaft comprising a stud plunger movable inthe direction of its length and supported on the: rail at one side thereof in relatively close relation'to the said shaft and with its upper end extending into the path of passing car wheels, whereby the plunger is depressed by engagement with said wheels, lever means on said shaft including a relatively short arm for engaging the plunger, whereby movement of the plunger in one direction imparts a partial rotation to said shaft, and a spring associated with-the plunger for imparte ing resilient operating pressure on the lever.

l 2. In a rail and wheel-flange lubricating apparatus, the combination with means for delivering lubricant to the rail comprising a pump and-operating connections therefor including'a shaft; of

engaging the plunger, whereby movement of the \Y plunger in one direction imparts a partial rotation to said shaft, and resilient means interposed between the wheel'engaging end of the plunger and the lever for cushioning the initial operating force on the lever. I i 3. In a rail and wheel flange'lubricating app'a ratus, the combination with means for delivering lubricant to the rail comprising a pump and operating connections therefor including .a shaft; of. means. for imparting movement to said shaft comprising a casing mounted on the rail at one side thereof, a vertically movable stud plunger supported in the casing in close relation to the shaft with its upper end extending through the top of the casing and into the path of travel of car wheels passing along the rail, whereby the plunger is depressed by engagement with said Wheels, lever means including a relatively short arm on said shaft within said casing and engaging the plunger so that movement of the plunger in one direction imparts a partial rotation to said shaft, and a spring associated with the plunger for applying resilient operating pressure on the shaft.

4. In a rail and wheel flange lubricating apparatus, the combination with means for delivering lubricant to the rail comprising a pump and operating means therefor including a shaft; of means for imparting movement to said shaft comprising a casing mounted on the rail at one side thereof, a vertically movable stud plunger supported in the casing in close relation to the said shaft and with its upper end extending into the path of passing car wheels, there being a transverse recess in the plunger, a lever means mounted on the shaft and including a relatively short arm extending into the said recess in the plunger for operatively engaging the plunger at a location intermediate its ends, whereby movement of the plunger in one direction imparts a partial rotation to said shaft, and a spring associated with the plunger for applying resilient operating pressure on the lever.

5. In a rail and wheel flange lubricating apparatus, the combination with means for delivering lubricant to the rail comprising a pump and operating means therefor including a shaft, of means for imparting intermittent movements to the shaft in one direction comprising a closed casing for one end of the shaft adapted to contain a quantity of lubricant, a plunger mounted to reciprocate vertically in the casing and having a transverse slot therein, a spring for holding the plunger yieldably in the path of passing car wheels, and means for connecting the plunger with the shaft comprising a member loosely mounted on the shaft so as to oscillate thereon and having a portion in the form of a gear tooth extending into the slot formed in the plunger, a ratchet wheel on the shaft, an actuating detent arm, pivotally supported on the oscillating member for engaging the teeth of the ratchet wheel, and a holding detent for preventing reverse movement of the ratchet wheel; the actuating detent and the gear tooth portion of the oscillating member being arranged on opposite sides of the shaft, whereby the shaft is rotated by the force of the plunger spring during the upward movement of the plunger.

6. 'In a rail and wheel flange lubricating apparatus including a pump and operating means therefor comprising a shaft; wheel actuated mechanism for operating the shaft comprising a reciprocating plunger supported on the rail, a spring for normally holding the plunger in the path of travel of a car wheel, whereby the plunger is operated by engagement with said wheel, a ratchet wheel fixed on the shaft, a lever means oscillatably supported on the shaft and connected to the plunger, an actuating detent pivotally supported on the lever means and having teeth for engaging the ratchet, whereby movement of the plunger in one direction imparts a partial rotation to the ratchet, a spring for holding the actuating detent in engagement with the ratchet, a pivoted holding detent having teeth engaging the teeth of the ratchet wheel to prevent reverse movement, and means for adjusting one of said detents relative to the ratchet wheel, whereby the said actuating and holding detents will engage the vertical faces .of the ratchet wheel teeth when the movable parts of the actuating mechanism are at rest.

7. In a rail and wheel flange lubricating apparatus including a pump and operating means therefor comprising a shaft; wheel actuated mechanism for operating the shaft comprising a reciprocating plunger supported on the rail, a spring for normally holding the plunger in the path of the car wheels, whereby the plunger is operated by engagement with said wheel, a ratchet wheel fixed on the shaft, a lever means oscillatably supported on the shaft and connected to the plunger, an actuating detent arm pivotally supported on the lever means and having teeth for engaging the ratchet, whereby movement of the plunger in one direction imparts partial rotation to the ratchet, a spring for holding the actuating detent in engagement with the ratchet, a pivoted detent arm having teeth engaging the teeth of the ratchet wheel to prevent reverse movement, and an eccentric member providing a pivotal axis for one of said detent arms, whereby the position of the detent may be adjusted relative to the ratchet wheel by rotation of the eccentric member.

8. In a rail and wheel flange lubricating apparatus including a pump and operating means therefor comprising a shaft; wheel actuated mechanism for operating the shaft comprising a reciprocating plunger supported on the rail, a spring for normally holding the plunger in the path of the car wheels, whereby the plunger is operated :by engagement with said wheels, a ratchet wheel fixed on the shaft, a lever means oscillatably supported on the shaft and connected to the plunger, an actuating detent pivotally supported on the lever means and having teeth for engaging the ratchet, whereby movement of the plunger in one direction imparts a partial rotation to the ratchet, a spring for holding the actuating detent in engagement with the ratchet, a pivoted holding detent having teeth for engaging the teeth of the ratchet wheel to prevent reverse movement, the pivotal axis for one of said detents comprising a bolt formed with an eccentric portion, whereby rotation of the bolt alters the position of the detent arm relative to the other arm.

9. 'In a rail and wheel flange lubricating apparatus including a pump and operating means therefor comprising :a shaft; wheel actuated mechanism for operating the shaft comprising a reciprocating plunger supported on the rail, a spring for normally holding the plunger in the path of the car wheels, whereby the plunger is operated by engagement with said wheels, a ratchet wheel fixed on the shaft, a lever means oscillatably supported on the shaft and connected to the plunger, an actuating detent pivotally supported on the lever means and having teeth for engaging the ratchet, whereby movement of the plunger in one direction imparts a partial rotation to the ratchet, a spring for holding the actuating detent in engagement with the ratchet, a pivoted holding detent having teeth for engaging the teeth of the ratchet wheel to prevent reverse movement; the pivotal axis for one of said detents comprising an eccentric bushing revolubly positioned in an'opening in the pivotal end of the detent, whereby rotation of the eccentric bushingrelative to the detent varies the.

effective length of the detent.

10. In a rail and wheel flange lubric'atingyapparatus, the combination of means for delivering I lubricant to therail comprising a pump and operating means thereforpincluding a shaft, of means for imparting movement to said shaft comprising a casing mounted on the rail at one side thereof, a. plunger supported in the casing to move in a plane inclined to the vertical center plane of the rail, there being a transverse recess in the plunger which is in normal alignment with the axis of the pump operating shaft, and.

a lever means mounted on the shaft and extending into said recess in the plunger for operatively connecting the plunger with said shaft, whereby movement of the plunger in one direction imparts. a partial rotation to said shaft.

11. In a rail and wheel flange lubricating apeparatus, the combination with means for delivering lubricant to the rail comprising a pump and operating means therefor including a shaft; of

means for imparting movement to said shaft comprising a casing mounted on the rail at one' side thereof, a plunger supported in the casing to move in a plane inclined to the vertical with the upper end of the plunger extending into the path of travel of car wheels passing along ing lubricant to a rail comprising a pump and operating connections therefor including a shaft; of" means for imparting movement tosaid shaft comprising a stud plunger positioned in close relation to said shaft at a location adjacent the outer side face of a rail head for engagement with the tread portions of passing car-wheels, means for adjustably supporting the plunger on the rail so as to accommodate rails of difierent heights, lever means on said shaft including a relatively short arm for engaging theplunger, whereby movement of the plunger in one direction imparts a partial rotation to said shaft, and

means associated with the plunger for applying resilient operating pressure on the lever.

13. In a rail and wheel flange lubricating apparatus including a pump and operating mechanism therefor comprising a shaft; wheel actuated mechanism for operating the shaft comprising a lever fixed onthe shaft and a ver-,-

i tically operating plunger engaging the'outer end of the lever and positioned to be depressed by a passing car wheel, whereby the downward movement of the lever imparts apartial. rotation to the shaft; the said plunger comprising an outer member, an inner member which bears on the lever and has a transverse opening therethrough, a connecting pin extending loosely through said opening and engaging the outer member for con-- necting the outer and inner members together with capacity for relative movement, and a compression spring interposed between theinner'andouter members to provide a shock absorbing cushion.

14. In a railand wheel flangelubrlcating ap paratus including a pump and operating mechanism thereforcomprising a shaft; wheel actuated mechanismfor operating the shaft comprising I a lever fixed on the shaft andhavinga rounded upwardly projecting end, and a vertically operating plunger engaging the said rounded end of the lever and positioned to be depressed by a passing car wheel whereby the downward movement of the lever imparts apartial rotation to said shaft; the said plunger comprising outer and inner members having telescopic relation, a connecting pin extending loosely' through a transverse opening in the inner member to hold said inner and outer members in their assembled relation 'with capacity for relative movement, a compression spring interposed between the outer and inner members to provide a cushion to resist inward endwise movement of said members, andstop means positioned to limit upward movement of the plunger structure.

- 15. In a rail and wheel flange lubricating apparatus including a pump and operating mechanism therefor, comprising a shaft; wheel actuated mechanism for operatingthe shaft com-.

prising a leverfixed on the shaft and a vertically operating plunger engaging the outer end of the lever and positioned to be depressed by passing car wheels, whereby the downward movement of the lever imparts a partial rotation to the shaft; the said plunger comprising outer and inner hollow members having telescopic relation with eachother,'a connecting pin carried by said outer member and extending loosely through a transverse opening in the inner memberto hold said members in their assembled relation with capacity for relative movement, a compression spring seatedin the hollow portions of said members to provide a cushion to resist relative 'inwardi movement of the members, and stop means for limiting the inward endwise movement 1 of said hollow members comprising a shoulder formed on the inner wall of the outer member adapted to engage the upper end of the said inner member'when the spring is under maximum compression. I

SIDNEY E. BATES. THOMAS E. RODMAN. ECMMO'NS OVERMER.

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